Procedural outcomes of percutaneous closure of perimembranous and other ventricular septal defects using Konar-MF occluder and short-term follow-up.

Introduction: The study aims to assess the procedural outcomes and follow-up after transcatheter closure of ventricular septal defects (VSDs) in children utilizing the Konar-MF™ occluder (Lifetech Scientific, Shenzhen, PRC) device.

Materials and methods: Clinical features, demographic characteristics, and follow-up findings of children undergoing percutaneous VSD device closure were retrospectively analyzed from the medical records.

Results: Fifty-seven patients underwent VSD closure using the Konar-MF occluder between January 2019 and April 2023. Median age and body weight of patients were 36 (5-216) months and 12.5 (3.8-42) kg, respectively. The mean size of the defect on the left ventricular side was 6.5 ± 2.4 mm on echocardiography; the mean pulmonary artery pressure was 19.1 ± 9.7 mmHg. Three patients with severe pulmonary hypertension had successful device closure. The most used device size was 8 mm × 6 mm. The initially chosen device was upsized in 4 (7.01%) patients and downsized in 1 (1.7%) patient. Forty-five patients (78.9%) had device closure through the retrograde route. The procedure was successful in 53 (93.0%) patients. Immediate shunt occlusion was achieved in 86.8% of patients. Major complications, namely, embolization (1) and moderate aortic regurgitation (1) in two patients were successfully managed by surgery. One patient with severe tricuspid regurgitation has been on close follow-up. There was no mortality. Late complications such as valve regurgitation or rhythm disturbance were not identified on a median follow-up of 6 (1.5-47) months.

Conclusion: Transcatheter VSD closure using a Konar-MF occluder device is safe and effective, even in smaller children. The ability to deliver both anterogradely and retrogradely is a unique advantage.