Pioneering closed-chest hole-in-the-heart repair

2011

Challenge

One of the most common congenital heart diseases is ventricular septal defect, or “hole-in-the-heart.” Current repair techniques require open-chest surgery and prolonged exposure to ionizing radiation to visualize the appropriate anatomy. Non-surgical interventions would reduce risks and improve recovery times.

Advance

IRP researcher Robert J. Lederman, M.D., and colleagues tested a pre-clinical MRI-guided, catheter-based, closed-chest intervention that provides enhanced image guidance, reduced radiation exposure, and reduced surgical risk.

Impact

If clinical trials continue to support development of MRI-guided treatments, pediatric patients with ventricular septal defect could avoid the risks associated with traditional surgical interventions in favor of a less invasive and safer procedure.

Publications

Ratnayaka K, Saikus CE, Faranesh AZ, Bell JA, Barbash IM, Kocaturk O, Reyes CA, Sonmez M, Schenke WH, Wright VJ, Hansen MS, Slack MC, Lederman RJ. (2011). Closed-chest transthoracic magnetic resonance imaging-guided ventricular septal defect closure in swine. JACC Cardiovasc Interv. 4(12), 1326-34.

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This page was last updated on Wednesday, August 2, 2023