Tainan Girl's Ventricular Septal Defect Successfully Repaired with Minimally Invasive Cardiac Catheterization, Avoiding Major Surgery

(Central News Agency reporter Yang Szu-jui, Tainan, 12th) A 3-year-old girl in Tainan was diagnosed with a ventricular septal defect at birth, leading to an enlarged left ventricle. As it did not close naturally by 2.5 years old, doctors evaluated and successfully repaired it using minimally invasive cardiac catheterization closure, avoiding the burden of traditional open-chest surgery for the young child.

The girl and her parents returned to Chi Mei Hospital today to attend a health education seminar, presenting flowers to her attending physician, Dr. Chen Chun-yu, Director of Pediatric Cardiology, to express their gratitude. The girl's father also shared his experience caring for her.

Dr. Chen Chun-yu stated that the girl was found to have a significant heart murmur at birth. Further examination confirmed a type II ventricular septal defect, approximately 4.5 mm in size, which caused left ventricular enlargement. It was assessed as a moderate defect, not requiring immediate surgical treatment, but needing medication combined with dietary control and regular follow-up examinations.

Dr. Chen Chun-yu pointed out that when the girl was 2.5 years old and weighed 12 kg, considering that the defect had not closed naturally, and to prevent possible long-term complications, minimally invasive cardiac catheterization closure was evaluated to seal the ventricular septal defect. The surgery was performed under local anesthesia with sedation, lasting about 2 hours, with only two needle-hole wounds in the groin area. She was discharged successfully the next day after surgery, without needing to pay for medical materials out of pocket.

Dr. Chen Chun-yu said that follow-up outpatient visits have not revealed any related complications, displacement of the occluder, or residual blood flow. The girl's weight has steadily increased, she is full of vitality, and her life is normal.

The girl's father said that caring for his daughter was previously more difficult, requiring control of water intake and appropriate complementary foods to avoid excessive burden on her heart. Family members endured changes in routine and psychological pressure, and had to rush her to the hospital for sudden conditions like fever. After receiving surgical treatment, his daughter's appetite, mischievousness, and activity levels have greatly improved, with a noticeable improvement.

Dr. Chen Chun-yu explained that a ventricular septal defect is a hole in the septum between the heart's left and right ventricles, with an incidence rate of about 3 per thousand. Some small defects may close spontaneously, but if the defect is too large or remains unclosed for a long time, abnormal blood flow can increase the burden on the heart, leading to heart failure, shortness of breath, poor appetite, recurrent lung infections, and even long-term complications such as pulmonary hypertension, valvular prolapse, and aortic sinus rupture.

Dr. Chen Chun-yu stated that traditional treatment for ventricular septal defect often requires 'open-heart surgery,' and the long incision often causes distress to parents. Currently, minimally invasive cardiac catheterization closure can replace traditional 'open-heart surgery.' A catheter is inserted through the femoral blood vessel in the groin, and an occluder (closure device) is delivered to the heart for repair. This method not only results in smaller wounds and faster recovery time but also reduces surgical risks and fear.

Dr. Chen Chun-yu reminded that if a child exhibits heart murmurs, syncope, easy shortness of breath, or a family history of sudden death or heart disease, it is recommended to promptly arrange an electrocardiogram and echocardiogram examination at a pediatric cardiology department. (Editor: Chang Ya-ching) 1150512

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