Percutaneous closure of a post-traumatic ventricular septal defect with a patent ductus arteriosus occluder

Abstract

Objective: Ventricular septal defects resulting from post-traumatic cardiac injury are very rare. Percutaneous closure has emerged as a method for treating this disorder. We wish to report our experience in three patients who underwent percutaneous closure of a post-traumatic ventricular septal defect with a patent ductus arteriosus occluder.

Methods: We treated three patients with post-traumatic ventricular septal defects caused by stab wounds with knives. After the heart wound was repaired, patient examinations revealed ventricular septal defects with pulmonary/systemic flow ratios (Qp/Qs) of over 1.7. The post-traumatic ventricular septal defects were closed percutaneously with a patent ductus arteriosus occluder (Lifetech Scientific (Shenzhen) Co., LTD, Guangdong, China) utilizing standard techniques.

Results: Post-operative transthoracic echocardiography revealed no residual left-to-right shunt and indicated normal ventricular function. In addition, 320-slice computerized tomography showed that the occluder was well placed and exhibited normal morphology.

Conclusion: Our experiences indicate that closure of a post-traumatic ventricular septal defect using a patent ductus arteriosus occluder is feasible, safe, and effective.

Figure 1

A) Picture of the PDA Occluder. B) After initial surgical repair, the transthoracic echocardiography image revealed an angulated defect. C) The angiogram image indicated that the PDA Occluder was well mounted. D) Follow-up postoperative echocardiography showed complete closure of the defects with no residual left-to-right shunt. E) Follow-up postoperative 320-slice computerized tomography showed the Occluder was well placed and had normal morphology.