What is the best management option for non-significant residual shunt after device closure of perimembranous ventricular septal defect

Rationale: Non-significant residual shunt is a relatively common complication after device closure of perimembranous ventricular septal defects (Pm-VSD). Lifelong antibiotic prophylaxis has been recommended in guidelines to avoid infectious endocarditis (IE) if residual shunt remains. Clinicians, however, rarely follow it in their practice and regular follow-up was the most common option since post-procedure IE after transcatheter closure of PmVSD is rarely reported. We firstly described a case of IE after transcatheter closure of PmVSD with modified symmetrical double-disk device with a residual shunt, highlighting the need for reassessing the prognostic implications of post-procedure non-significant residual shunt and the most appropriate treatment strategy. Patient concerns: A 3-year old female received transcatheter closure of PmVSD sized 5.0 mm on left ventricular angiography with an 8-mm modified symmetric double-disk occluder (SHAMA) owing to a history of recurrent lower respiratory tract infections. Post-procedure echocardiography documented a non-significant residual shunt, but no additional interventions were performed. Two months post procedure, the child was re-admitted into our department with a complaint of persistent fever up to 41°C for 11 days and nonresponse to 1-week course of amoxicillin. Diagnoses: The diagnosis of post procedure IE was established since a vegetation (13 × 9 mm) was found to be attached to the tricuspid valve and the occluder, and Staphylococcus aureus was isolated from all three-blood cultures. Interventions: After 6 weeks of vancomycin treatment, the vegetation disappeared with no sign of valvular dysfunction. Three weeks after discharge, a second device was implanted to abolish persistent residual flow. Outcomes: Unfortunately, the child was ultimately transferred to surgical department due to severe hemolysis after the second device implantation. The occluders were removed and the VSD was closed with a pericardial patch. Tricuspid valvuloplasty was also performed and the following course was uneventful. Lessons: For non-significant residual shunt after device closure of PmVSD, implantation of a second device or surgical repair may be a better and more satisfactory alternative compared with lifelong antibiotic prophylaxis or no interventions, since associated IE can indeed occur despite its rarity and the risk of antibiotic-associated adverse events may outweigh the benefits.