Post-traumatic ventricular septal defects--review of the literature and a novel technique for percutaneous closure

Abstract

Post-traumatic ventricular septal defect (VSD) is infrequent, with clinical sequelae ranging from imminent death to complete spontaneous resolution. The most appropriate management strategy is unclear. Careful observation has been advocated in the management of these patients. We demonstrate this concept by reporting two different approaches in two patients with traumatic injuries to the chest and review the English-language literature of both spontaneous and percutaneous closure of these lesions. In our case of percutaneous closure, we report a novel technique involving a transseptal approach that does not require exteriorization and formation of an arteriovenous loop, thus avoiding loop-related complications.