Combined percutaneous treatment of structural and congenital heart defects

Background

Multiple congenital defects are traditionally corrected surgically, but nowadays can be treated percutaneously. There are few reports in the literature attesting to its efficacy and safety. We aimed to describe an experience with combined procedures to treat different congenital and structural defects, in a single therapeutic session.

Methods

Since 2007, different defects were treated in a single treatment session. All were selected by echocardiography. The procedures were performed using traditional techniques already described for each defect.

Results

Ten patients were treated, five males, aged 1-67 years, weighting 11-90 kilograms. The most prevalent isolated defect was patent ductus arteriosus (PDA, n = 5), followed by ostium secundum atrial septal defects (osASD, n = 4) and ventricular septal defects (VSD, n = 4). The most common combinations were VSD with PDA (n = 2) and VSD with osASD (n = 2). Two pulmonary valve stenosis were dilated with osASD and patent foramen ovale (PFO), and one aortic coarctation with PDA. Additionally, a left atrial appendage with PFO was occluded and an aortopulmonary fistula with PDA was embolized. All procedures were successful. The mean follow-up was 31 ± 28.1 months, with only two complications. There were no deaths.

Conclusions

The small number of reported cases showed that the combined procedures were safe and effective and can be reproduced by experienced operators in specialized centers and may be considered as the first therapeutic option in these patients.