Early implantation of multiple spring coils for severe haemolysis after incomplete transcatheter occlusion of persistent arterial duct.

An 18 month old girl with an angiographically measured ductus of 4.5 mm underwent transcatheter occlusion of the persistent arterial duct with a 17 mm Rashkind umbrella and an occluding spring coil. Severe intravascular haemolysis developed 20 hours later. Significant residual ductal leakage was noted and the residual duct measured 6 mm. Previous underestimation might have been related to ductal spasm as a catheter was placed across the duct before angiography. The haemolysis was abolished within 48 hours by a previously unreported approach of antegrade transcatheter closure of the residual duct by multiple spring coils.     

Transcatheter occlusion of the arterial duct with Cook detachable coils: early experience.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effectiveness of modified, controlled release Gianturco coils for transcatheter occlusion of the arterial duct. DESIGN: Prospective study, approved by local medical ethics committee. SETTING: Tertiary paediatric cardiac centre. PATIENTS: 43 patients with left to right shunting through the arterial duct, two of whom had a residual leak after surgical ligation and three had residual shunting after previous Rashkind umbrella implantation. INTERVENTION: Transcatheter delivery of one or more coils to the arterial duct. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Complete occlusion of the arterial duct, based on intention to treat and judged by Doppler echocardiography. Absence of flow disturbance in the branch pulmonary arteries and the descending aorta following the procedure. Assessment of cost of the disposable items used. RESULTS: At a median follow up period of three months complete duct occlusion was achieved in 37 (86%) of the 43 patients. No flow disturbance in the branch pulmonary arteries or the descending aorta was detected in any patient. The median cost of disposable items used during the procedure was 342 pounds. CONCLUSIONS: The Cook detachable coil is an effective and financially attractive alternative to the Rashkind umbrella for closure of the arterial duct.     

Problems encountered during introduction of Gianturco coils for transcatheter occlusion of the patent arterial duct

OBJECTIVE: To define the problems encountered during transcatheter occlusionof the patent arterial duct using Gianturco coils. METHODS: Between January 1994 and November 1995, 93 patients were admittedin whom it was intended to occlude the patent arterial ductusing Gianturco coils. Anterograde transcatheter coil occlusionwas performed via the femoral vein in 81 patients. In the remaining12 the procedure was done via the femoral artery. RESULTS: Coils were implanted successfully in 82/93 (88%) patients. In11 patients the procedure was a failure. In 19/93 patients (20%),inadvertent embolization of the coil occurred. The coils wereretrieved in all except one patient. In 17 of these patients,new coils were then reimplanted successfully. Doppler echocardiographyafter the procedure showed that in 9/82 (11%) patients the leftpulmonary artery Doppler peak velocity exceeded 1·5 m.s ^–1(mean 1·2 m. s.^–1) raising concern aboutleft pulmonary artery branch stenosis. The complete occlusionrate at discharge from hospital was 72/82 (88%). Follow-up rangesfrom 1 day to 14 months (mean 2/12 months) in the 82 patientsin whom successful deployment of coils was possible. In twopatients, the arterial duct became occluded at followup. Oneadditional patient had complete occlusion after reocclusionusing another coil. Thus, after short-term follow-up a totalof 75/82 patients (91·4%) have a completely occludedarterial duct after coil implantation. CONCLUSION: Transcatheter occlusion of the patent arterial duct using Gianturcocoils is an effective and safe technique. In the learning curvethere is a relatively high rate of inadvertent embolization,but the coils can be retrieved in the vast majority of patients.The complication rate is offset by the high early occlusionrate and the inexpensiveness of the procedure.     

Indications, technique, results and clinical impact of reocclusion procedures for residual shunts after transcatheter closure of the patent ductus arteriosus.

PURPOSE: To assess the results of reocclusion procedures for late residual shunts after transcatheter closure of the patent ductus arteriosus. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Nineteen patients underwent reocclusion procedures either with Rashkind technique (2 patients) or with coils. Mean age was 96.5 months and mean interval between the initial and the additional procedure was 15.7 months. In 5 patients, the duct was balloon-dilated prior to occlusion. RESULTS: In 3 patients the procedure was unsuccessful because it was impossible to cross the duct using either a guide wire or a catheter. Immediate or late complete occlusion occurred in 13 patients. Two patients required a third procedure for complete closure. One patient developed severe intravascular hemolysis after coil implantation and was sent to surgery. The rate of final late residual shunting decreased from 17.1% to 6.6% (5/76) in the umbrella group and from 15.8% to 1.8% (1/56) in the coil group. CONCLUSIONS: Reocclusion procedures are indicated after one year of persistent shunting following the primary procedure. They are generally effective and reduce significantly the rate of late residual shunting. In patients with tiny shunts, the duct may need to be dilated. Coils are preferred because of their low cost.     

Transcatheter management of residual shunts after initial transcatheter closure of a patent arterial duct

OBJECTIVES: To assess the efficacy and safety of transcatheter reocclusion of persistent leaks following previously attempted transcatheter occlusion of persistent arterial duct. DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: Tertiary pediatric cardiology centre. PATIENTS: From February 1987 through October 1996, trans-catheter occlusion of a residual ductal shunt was attempted in 42 consecutive patients at a median age of 5.0 years (range 1.6 years to 16.2 years). INTERVENTIONS: Fourty patients had successful placement of a double umbrella occluder (n=27) or coils (n=13) across residual shunts. Complications included device embolization in two patients and hemolysis in one patient. OUTCOME MEASURES AND RESULTS: Mean z-score for left ventricular end-diastolic dimension (LVEDD) at initial echocardiography was +2.55 +/- 1.89 (P<0.0001 versus normal); z-score for left pulmonary artery (LPA) diameter was +2.00 +/- 1.52 (P<0.0001). Mean LPA to right pulmonary artery (RPA) diameter ratio was 1.05 +/- 0.18. At follow-up echocardiogram, a median of two years (range six months to 7.7 years) after the second procedure, a shunt was persistent in 3% of the patients. Mean LVEDD and LPA diameter z-value, and mean LPA to RPA diameter had dropped significantly to +0.42 +/- 1.31, +0.07 +/- 1.15 and 0.86 +/- 0.14 (P<0.001), respectively. LPA flow acceleration was present in 25% of patients. Three of nine patients, in whom lung perfusion scan was performed, had left lung perfusion below 40%. Small weight and age at catheterization were significant risk factors for LPA flow disturbance. CONCLUSIONS: Repeat transcatheter occlusion is safe and successful in eliminating residual shunt across the arterial duct. Attention should, however, be addressed to the potential for LPA stenosis and growth, and flow should be regularly assessed.     

Transcatheter Closure of Persistent Ductus Arteriosus in Adults

Objective: To describe the technical aspects and outcome of duct occlusion in adults over a 12-year period. Methods: A single center review of all transcatheter duct closures performed between 2000 and 2012. Results: Of 518 transcatheter duct closures performed, 31 patients were over the age of 16 at the time of procedure (6%). In 10 of the 31 cases, it was not possible to cross the duct from the pulmonary artery. In 4 of those, the duct was small enough to be closed with coils delivered from the aorta (although 1 required a second procedure for a residual shunt). In the remaining 6 cases, it was necessary to cross the duct from the aorta and create an arterio-venous "circuit" using a snare to deliver an Amplatzer device from the femoral vein. In none of the 487 children who underwent transcatheter duct closure during the same time period was it necessary to deliver the device using an arterio-venous wire circuit. The increased complexity of the procedure in adults compared with children was further reflected by longer procedure times (median of 37 minutes in adults vs. 24 minutes in children [P < 0.01]) and longer fluoroscopy times (median of 8.4 minutes in adults vs. 4.3 minutes in children [P < 0.025]). There were no major complications. Conclusions: Closure of the arterial duct in adults is safe and effective but ductal anatomy may differ from that seen in childhood, making transcatheter closure technically much more demanding than in children. (J Interven Cardiol 2012;25:501-504).     

Transcatheter closure of persistent ductus arteriosus in infants using the Amplatzer duct occluder

AIM—To evaluate whether transcatheter closure with the Amplatzer duct occluder offers an alternative to surgical treatment in infants with a persistent ductus arteriosus.
METHODS—12 patients under 1 year of age (age 1-11 months, body weight 2.6-8.7 kg) with clinical and echocardiographic findings of a significant duct were considered for transcatheter closure with the Amplatzer occluder. The device is made of a Nitinol and polyester fabric mesh and provides occlusion by stenting the duct. Measured angiographically, the narrowest diameter of the ducts ranged from 1.5-5 mm; in six patients pulmonary hypertension was also present.
RESULTS—The devices were implanted and complete duct occlusion was demonstrated during follow up in 10 patients. Procedure related difficulties occurred in nine of the 12 cases and led to relatively long procedure and fluoroscopy times (procedure time 50-180 minutes, median 80 minutes; fluoroscopy time 4.9-49 minutes, median 16 minutes). In two infants transcatheter closure could not be achieved and surgical duct ligation had to be carried out.
CONCLUSIONS—In small infants with a persistent ductus arteriosus the Amplatzer duct occluder offers an alternative to surgical treatment, but further improvement of the implantation system is necessary before the procedure can be recommended as the treatment of choice.


Keywords: persistent ductus arteriosus; transcatheter closure; infants; Amplatzer duct occluder     

Lung perfusion studies after detachable coil occlusion of persistent arterial duct

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate relative lung perfusion following complete occlusion of persistent arterial duct with detachable Cook coils. METHODS: Ductal occlusion using detachable coils was performed in 35 patients (median age 3.9 years, range 0.5 to 16; 32 native ducts, three patients with previous devices). If the duct could be crossed with a 0.035 inch guidewire and a 4 F catheter after coil implantation, a further coil was implanted. Between one and seven coils were used (median two). RESULTS: Complete ductal occlusion was confirmed by echocardiography 24 hours after the procedure in all patients. Lung perfusion scans were performed three months after the procedure in 33 of 35 patients (two older patients with a single coil each did not attend). Decreased perfusion to the left lung (defined as < 40% of total lung flow) was observed in only one patient, who had previously had a 17 mm Rashkind umbrella implanted. There was no correlation between left lung perfusion and peak left pulmonary artery Doppler velocities (r = 0.27 and p = 0.125 for the entire group; r = 0.29 and p = 0.124 after excluding patients with previous devices). CONCLUSIONS: Coil occlusion is effective in achieving complete closure of the duct. An aggressive approach using multiple coils did not compromise perfusion to the left lung.     

Transcatheter closure of the patent arterial duct using the Flipper coil in a premature infant weighing 1,400 g: a case report.

A symptomatic 1,400 g premature triplet underwent successful transcatheter coil embolization of patent arterial duct using the umbilical artery. One 3 mm x 3 cm Flipper coil was used with no angiographic residual shunt. To the best of our knowledge, this is one of the smallest preterm infants to undergo this transcatheter procedure.     

Transcatheter closure of persistent arterial ducts with different types of coils

BACKGROUND: Different types of coils have been designed for transcatheter closure of persistent arterial ducts. We compared the efficacy and safety of three types of coils: Gianturco coils (Cook), Cook detachable coils (Cook), and Duct Occlud devices (pfm). METHODS: Sixty-three patients underwent coil occlusion of arterial ducts between April 1995 and July 2000. The mean age and weight were 4.8+/-3.4 years and 16.5+/-7.6 kg, respectively. The results and complications of ductal occlusion among the three types of coils were compared. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to assess reduction in the prevalence of residual shunt with time, and multiple regression analysis was performed to identify predictors of complete occlusion. RESULTS: Coil occlusion of persistent arterial ducts that measured 2. 2 +/- 0.8 mm was feasible in 90% (57/63) of patients. Gianturco coils were used in 29, Duct Occlud devices in 16, and Cook detachable coils in 12 patients. The prevalence of residual shunt at 24 hours, 6 months, 12 months, and 24 months was 42%, 20%, 18%, and 14%, respectively. The reduction in prevalence of residual shunt with time tended to be greater when Gianturco coils were used (P =. 067). Logistic regression identified the use of Gianturco coils to be a significant predictor of complete ductal occlusion on follow-up (P =.04). Pull-through of coils occurred in 4.8% (3/63) and coil embolization in 6.3% (4/63). There was no association between the type of coil and the risk of embolization (P = 1.00). CONCLUSIONS: Transcatheter occlusion of small persistent arterial ducts with coils is safe and effective. There is no advantage of detachable coils (Cook detachable coils and Duct Occlud devices) over nondetachable Gianturco coils in reducing the risk of embolization. Our findings are in favor of the inexpensive, but more effective, Gianturco coils for occluding small arterial ducts of 3 mm or less.     

Evolving use of embolisation coils for occlusion of the arterial duct.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the outcome of arterial duct occlusion with coils chosen according to the duct morphology. DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: Paediatric cardiology centre. PATIENTS: Coil occlusion was attempted in 57 patients aged 0.5 to 15 (median 3.7) years and weighing 5-59 (median 14) kg between January 1991 and December 1995. A residual leak was present in 8 patients after umbrella closure and in 4 patients after duct ligation. METHODS: Coils of 4 different types were implanted through 4 or 5 F femoral artery catheters. Platinum or Interlocking Detachable 0.018 inch coils were deployed completely inside tubular ducts. Gianturco or PDA controlled release 0.038 inch coils were implanted to straddle short, post ligation and post umbrella ducts. RESULTS: Coil implantation was successful in 54/57 patients. At 1 year the cumulative occlusion rate was 53/57 ducts (93%) on an intention to treat analysis. A single coil was implanted in 37 (69%), 2 coils in 10 (19%), 3 coils in 3 (5%) and 4 coils in 4 (7%) of the 54 successful procedures. Duct occlusion was documented at the end of the procedure in 31%, by the following day in 83%, by 6 weeks in 87%, by 6 months in 96%, and by 1 year in 98%. Coil embolisation occurred in 6/58 procedures (10%), with a 50% rate in the first year of implantation (1/2 patients) falling to 7% in the last year (3/42 patients). All embolised coils were easily retrieved. CONCLUSIONS: Occlusion of small to moderate size arterial ducts, including residual post umbrella or post ligation ducts, was readily accomplished by coils selected according to the duct anatomy. This has both cost and practical benefits.     

Haemolysis following implantation of duct occlusion coils

Objectives—To describe the incidence and management of haemolysis after transcatheter coil occlusion of the arterial duct.
Design—Prospective clinical and echocardiographic follow up of patients who have undergone implantation of the Cook detachable duct occlusion coil.
Setting—Tertiary paediatric cardiac centre.
Patients—Five cases of haemolysis (two girls aged 6 and 11 months; three boys aged 6, 17, and 14 months) from a series of 137 duct coil implantations.
Main outcome measures—The occurrence of clinically significant haemolysis after implantation of duct occlusion coils and resolution of haematuria after completion of duct occlusion.
Results—Haemolysis was detected in five of 137 procedures following implantation of Cook detachable duct coils. Four patients became symptomatic 12 hours after the procedure but in one haemolysis was detected three months later. Resolution of ongoing haemolysis was achieved within 48 hours of detection with further coil implantations, but haematuria persisted for up to 10 days. In one patient the extensive destruction of erythrocytes resulted in acute renal failure requiring peritoneal dialysis.
Conclusions—Haemolysis is an important complication after duct coil implantation. It occurred in 3.6% of 137 procedures in this series and is most likely to occur in young patients with relatively large ducts. Further coil implantation to occlude the duct completely is not only successful but technically relatively straightforward and should be undertaken early if major complications such as severe anaemia and renal failure are to be avoided.

Keywords: arterial duct; haemolysis; coil occluders; congenital heart disease     

Clinical course and management strategies for hemolysis after transcatheter closure of patent arterial ducts.

Residual flows following transcatheter coil or device closure of the patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) can result in hemolysis. Of 611 patients who underwent transcatheter PDA closure at our institution, 5 patients (age, 6-63 years) developed overt hemolysis (after coil occlusion in 4 and Amplazter device closure in 1). All had ducts > 3 mm and residual flows after the procedure. In one patient, hemolysis occurred 3 months after coil occlusion following a period of uncontrolled hypertension. The occurrence of hemolysis correlated significantly with both age as well as duct size (P < 0.00001). Hemolysis was associated with a fall in hemoglobin of 3-6 g/100 ml (n = 3), jaundice (n = 2), and renal failure (n = 1). Hemolysis subsided spontaneously in one patient and four patients required flow elimination. Deploying additional coils in three patients eliminated residual flows. In one patient (after Amplatzer device closure for 12.5 mm duct with aneurysm), flow persisted after 25 additional coils, transient balloon occlusion, and gel foam instillation. Flow elimination was eventually achieved through thrombin instillation after balloon occlusion of the ampulla. All patients recovered completely and were well on follow-up. Although hemolysis after duct occlusion is rare (0.8% in this series), residual flow at the end of the procedure merits careful monitoring. Aggressive elimination of residual flows is often necessary to control hemolysis.     

Follow-up of coil occlusion of patent ductus arteriosus

Objective. We sought to determine the prevalence and fate of residual ductal shunting following coil occlusion of patent ductus arteriosus.Background. Although transcatheter coil occlusion of patent ductus arteriosus has gained popularity, few follow-up data have been reported.Methods. A review of 75 patients who underwent coil occlusion was performed. Residual shunting was investigated by Doppler echocardiography in follow-up. Angiograms were reviewed to obtain minimal ductal diameter and ductal angiographic type.Results. Residual shunts were found in 31 patients (41%) on the day of the procedure, and of these, spontaneous closure was noted in 17 (55%) at 2 weeks to 20 months of follow-up. Of the 75 patients studied, 5 (7%) required a second coil procedure, and 10 (13%) remained with persistent residual shunts at most recent follow-up. Actuarial analysis estimated a 6 ± 5% prevalence of residual shunts 20 months after a single coil procedure and 3 ± 3% after all coil procedures. Minimal ductal diameter was associated with immediate complete ductal occlusion by a single coil. These patients had significantly smaller (p = 0.003) minimal ductal diameters (1.2 ± 0.7 mm) than those who required two coils during their initial procedure to achieve immediate occlusion (1.9 ± 0.7 mm), those who required a second coil procedure (2.0 ± 0.9 mm), those who had spontaneous closure of residual shunts (1.9 ± 0.7 mm) and those with persistent residual shunts (2.0 ± 0.9 mm). No association was identified between ductal angiographic type and outcome of coil occlusion. No late adverse clinical events of coil occlusion or evidence of recanalization was found.Conclusions. Small residual shunts are common after coil embolization of patent ductus arteriosus, but most close spontaneously. Actuarial analysis estimates complete closure in 94% at 20 months, and reintervention was required in only 7% of patients.     

Angiographic and hemodynamic predictors for successful outcome of transcatheter occlusion of patent ductus arteriosus in infants less than 8 kilograms.

Transcatheter occlusion of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) using Gianturco coils (GCs) has been performed for the past decade. However, little has been written regarding anatomical and hemodynamic predictors for successful occlusion of the PDA in infants. This report is to evaluate the outcome of transcatheter occlusion of PDA in symptomatic infants less than 8 kg and to assess predictors of successful occlusion. Retrospective review of catheterization charts and cineangiograms of 42 symptomatic infants who underwent cardiac catheterization for attempted transcatheter occlusion of their PDA was conducted. The hemodynamic and angiographic data evaluated included the length/diameter (L/D) ratio, defined as the length divided by the narrowest diameter of the ductus arteriosus, and preocclusion pulmonary artery pressures. Thirty-one out of 42 patients (74%) had successful occlusion. Twenty-nine out of 42 infants had an L/D ratio > 3. Of these, 26 (90%) had successful occlusion of their PDA. Thirteen out of 42 patients had an L/D ratio < or = 3. Of these, 8 (62%) had unsuccessful occlusion. Complications encountered were transient loss of femoral arterial pulse (n = 6), coil embolization (n = 5), hemolysis (n = 2), and mild left pulmonary artery obstruction (n = 2). No permanent loss of femoral arterial pulse was noted. These complications resulted in no mortality and minimal morbidity. The L/D ratio was the strongest predictor of successful outcome, with an L/D ratio greater than 3.0 being more amenable to transcatheter occlusion (odds ratio of 4.6). Other predictors for success included lower preocclusion systolic, diastolic, and mean pulmonary artery pressure and smaller ductal diameter. Our conclusion was that infants less than 8 kg with an L/D ratio > 3.0 can safely and successfully undergo transcatheter occlusion of their PDA using transcatheter coils.     

Difficulties generated by the small, persistently patent, arterial duct.

Over recent years, echo-Doppler cardiography has shown that a small, sometimes silent, arterial duct exists in more patients than previously recognized. To know the incidence of an arterial duct subsequent to therapy, we studied retrospectively our patients undergoing open-heart surgery and surgical or catheter closure. Three groups of patients were studied: those with patency of the duct subsequent to open heart surgery without any sign of patency before or during surgery, those with persistent duct after surgical ligation and those with persistent patency after attempted catheter occlusion with the Rashkind device. In the first group (of 431 children) four (0.9%) had persistence of this duct, of which three were silent. In the second group, patency persisted in four of 100 patients (4%), three being silent. In the last group there were five persisting shunts, three producing no murmur, in 30 patients (17%). We compared our results with those reported in the literature and conclude that echo-Doppler cardiography is needed to detect persistent shunting across a duct after therapy, since most of the residual ducts in this study were silent. This means that clinical findings alone cannot be relied upon, and careful echo-Doppler cardiography is essential. Also, the process of closure of a persistent duct by surgical ligation or transcatheter intervention is no guarantee of success. The risk of infective endocarditis is important in such persistent ducts and, at present, it is unknown either for a small, silent duct or in a persistent duct that remains open after attempted transcatheter closure, but now is in association with a foreign body.     

Transcatheter closure of patent ductus arteriosus with Nit-Occlud coils.

The detachable coils have been successfully used for transcatheter occlusion of small- to moderate-sized patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). We report our experience regarding the use of the Nit-Occlud coils (NOCs) for transcatheter PDA and major aortopulmonary collateral (MAPCA) occlusion. Single NOCs were used to close PDA in 26 patients, and one small and two large MAPCAs in two patients. Mean age and weight of the patients were 7.7 +/- 5.4 years and 20.6 +/- 11.6 kg. Mean minimum duct diameter was 2.8 +/- 0.8 mm; ampulla, 8.7 +/- 2.4 mm; and PDA length, 9.3 +/- 4.4 mm. Mean pulmonary artery pressure ranged from 9 to 51 mm Hg and pulmonary/systemic flow ratio from 1.1 to 5.8. Ductal shape was conical in 24 patients. Route of approach was venous in 23 and arterial in 3. Successful coil implantation was achieved in 24/26 (92.3%). Mean procedure and fluoroscopy time were 67.2 +/- 22.1 and 14.9 +/- 6.5 min. The three MAPCAs were also successfully occluded using NOC Medium and Flex. Postimplantation angiograms revealed no leak in 3, a trace or small leak in 17, and a medium leak in 4 patients. Mean follow-up was 7 +/- 5 months. Complete occlusion was achieved in 17/24 (71%) at 24 hr, 19/24 (79%) by 1 month, 13/15 (87%) by 3 months, 14/15 (93%) by 6 months, and 10/11 (90%) by 12 months postprocedure. Hemolysis, late embolization, duct recanalization, and flow disturbances were not observed. Transcatheter occlusion of moderate-sized PDAs and MAPCAs using NOCs seems to offer a safe, simple, and controlled method in pediatric patients.     

Transcatheter occlusion of the patent ductus arteriosus with a single device technique: comparison between the Cook detachable coil and the Rashkind umbrella device

Transcatheter coil occlusion of the patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) has become the interventional treatment option of choice. Immediate occlusion of any residual shunting results in excellent closure rates, but frequently requires multiple coil deployment. Aims: To assess the efficacy and limitations of single Cook detachable coil PDA closure compared to a preceding series of Rashkind umbrella procedures. Methods and results: Between 1990 and 1999, transcatheter occlusion of a small (<2 mm; n=45) or moderate-sized (2-4 mm; n=47) PDA was successfully attempted in 90/92 consecutive patients (mean age 6+/-4.8 years) with a coil (39/41) or Rashkind device (51/51). Immediate angiographic closure rates for both devices were low, although better for small (54-68%) than moderate ducts (7-22%, P<0.01). A 2-year echocardiographic closure rate of small ducts increased to 92% for the coil group versus 95% for the Rashkind group. By that time, moderate-sized ducts were only occluded in 64% with the coil and 54% with the Rashkind device. A visible residual shunt at post-implant angiography in moderate ducts was associated with a high incidence (59%) of long-term echocardiographic shunt patency and a need for repeat interventions for audible residual shunts (32%). Conclusions: Single coil transcatheter occlusion is the treatment of choice for the small duct as most residual shunts will resolve spontaneously. However, long-term shunt persistence after single coil deployment in moderate sized ducts is as frequent as with the Rashkind device. A primary multiple coil approach is advocated if the postcoil aortogram shows residual ductal shunting and if there is persistence of a ductal murmur on auscultation.     

Bioptome-assisted simultaneous delivery of multiple coils for occlusion of the large patent ductus arteriosus.

We describe a novel method that allows bioptome-assisted delivery of multiple Gianturco coils simultaneously for occlusion of the large patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). Two or more coils were intertwined at one end and held by a bioptome (5.2 Fr) and pulled into a short introducer. The coils were then deployed in the PDA via a long sheath (7-11 Fr) previously placed across the duct via the femoral vein. Twelve patients (6 months to 64 years; median, 10.5 years) with large PDAs (4.7 +/- 1.3 mm; range, 3.1-8.4 mm; PA mean pressure, 40 +/- 17 mm Hg; pulse pressure 63 +/- 18 mm Hg) underwent bioptome-assisted occlusion with multiple coils at our institutions. The procedure was uneventful in nine patients (fluoroscopy time, 6-23 min) and prolonged in three patients (fluoroscopy time, 26, 72, and 120 min) because of dislodgment of the coil mass and embolization of an additional coil. Successful coil deployment was feasible in all patients. Three patients required repeat coil deployment for flow elimination (hemolysis occurred in two). Flow elimination was demonstrated on the last follow-up evaluation in all except two patients. One infant has developed significant left pulmonary artery stenosis. Bioptome-assisted PDA occlusion using multiple coils delivered simultaneously may be a promising alternative to devices for transcatheter closure of large PDAs. Cathet Cardiovasc Intervent 2001;54:95-100.