Comparison of transcatheter versus surgical closure of perimembranous ventricular septal defect in pediatric patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE: Perimembranous ventricular septal defect (pmVSD) is a common congenital heart disease (CHD) usually treated with either catheter or surgical closure. Superiority of one procedure over the other in children is still a matter of debate. We performed this meta-analysis to compare the clinical outcomes and cost of transcatheter and surgical closure of pmVSD in children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We searched seven databases (MEDLINE, PubMed, EMBASE, Google Scholar, CENTRAL, CINHAL, and Cochrane library) and literature references for articles published in the past 10 years (between January 2008 and January 2018) comparing closure of pmVSD by both procedures in children. The outcomes of interest were success rate, residual shunt, need for blood transfusion, complications especially complete atrioventricular block, length of hospital stay, and cost. RESULTS: A total of 1750 articles were identified. However, only five studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria. As regards success rate, no significant difference was found between surgical and catheter closure. Residual shunt was significantly lower in catheter closure than surgical closure [risk ratio (RR) = 0.44; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.23–0.83, p = 0.01). The need for blood transfusion and the length of hospital stay were significantly lower in the catheter closure compared to surgical closure (RR = 0.02; 95% CI, 0.01–0.08; p < 0.00001), (RR = −4.81; 95% CI, −7.76 to −1.86; p = 0.001), respectively. However, overall complications, complete atrioventricular block, and the cost were comparable in both procedures. CONCLUSION: Transcatheter closure of pmVSD in children was as effective as surgical closure with a lower residual shunt and need for blood transfusion, and shorter hospital stay.