Arterial switch operation for transposition of the great arteries combined with closure of paramembranous ventricular septal defect using the Amplatzer membranous ventricular septal occluder.

Ventricular septal defects (VSDs) complicate the arterial switch operation (ASO) in newborns with transposition of the great arteries because of prolonged cardiac arrest time and subsequent ventricular dysfunction. Three newborns with paramembranous VSDs were successfully treated using the newly designed Amplatzer membranous VSD occluder during the ASO. The implantation of a 4-mm asymmetric Amplatzer device in 2 patients and an 8-mm device in the third resulted in the complete occlusion of the septal defects. The cardiac arrest time for anatomic repair might be effectively reduced by this new approach in pediatric cardiac surgery.