经导管封堵治疗动脉导管未闭伴重度肺动脉高压

目的评价经导管封堵术治疗动脉导管未闭伴重度肺动脉高压病人的临床疗效与安全性。方法选择在我院接受经导管封堵术治疗且肺动脉收缩压在80mmHg或以上，肺动脉平均压在60mmHg或以上的动脉导管未闭病人31例，回顾性分析病人术中及术后随访资料。结果31例病人术前肺动脉收缩压80～183（112±28）mmHg，肺动脉平均压63～130（82±22）mmHg。其中30例经导管封堵成功（成功率97％），1例巨大型动脉导管未闭因无合适封堵器而行手术治疗。封堵后10min，26例肺动脉收缩压下降30mmHg以上，2例肺动脉收缩压下降20％以上，另2例肺动脉收缩压无明显改变。1例用房间隔缺损封堵器封堵巨大型动脉导管未闭，在术后3d复查心脏超声时发现封堵器脱人肺动脉而转入外科手术治疗；在5例双向分流者中，1例于术后2个月因重度肺部感染死亡，1例于封堵后血氧饱和度明显增加，但肺动脉压无明显下降，术后2年出现右心功能不全表现。结论动脉导管未闭伴重度肺动脉高压病人，若心脏超声检查示左向右分流，可用经导管封堵术进行根治；但若为双向分流时，经导管封堵治疗应慎重。     

Transcatheter closure of large patent ductus arteriosus (> or = 4 mm) with multiple Gianturco coils: immediate and mid-term results.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the immediate and mid-term results of transcatheter closure of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) > or = 4 mm with multiple Gianturco coils. (Transcatheter closure of large PDAs using the Rashkind occluder or the buttoned device is associated with a 7-38% incidence of residual shunt.) METHODS: 19 patients (7 male, 12 female) underwent an attempt at anterograde transcatheter closure with multiple Gianturco coils of a large PDA at a median age of 3.8 yr (range 2 weeks-34 yr) and median weight of 14 kg (range 2.3-80 kg). RESULTS: The median PDA diameter at the narrowest segment was 4.3 mm (range 4-7 mm) and the mean (SD) Qp/Qs was 1.9 (0.8). Each patient had left atrial and left ventricular volume overload. A 4F catheter was used to deliver the coils in all patients. There was immediate and complete closure in 16/18; one patient had residual shunt that was closed at a second procedure and the other had spontaneous disappearance of the residual shunt at the six week visit. A short ductus (angiographic type B) in one patient could not be closed. The median number of coils placed at the first attempt to close the ductus was 4 (range 2-6 coils) and the median fluoroscopy time was 40 minutes (range 13-152 minutes). Mild left pulmonary artery stenosis occurred in the two smallest patients. Coil migration to the lung occurred in 3 patients with retrieval of coils in two patients. All procedures but one were done on an outpatient basis. At a median follow up of 1.6 yr (range 2 weeks-2.2 yr) all patients had complete closure with no new complications. CONCLUSIONS: Anterograde transcatheter closure with multiple Gianturco coils is an effective treatment for most patients with large PDA of diameters up to 7 mm. This technique can be performed in small infants on an outpatient basis without the need for general endotracheal anaesthesia.     

Further experience with transcatheter closure of the patent ductus arteriosus using the Amplatzer duct occluder

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to report further experience with transcatheter closure of the patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) using the Amplatzer duct occluder (ADO). BACKGROUND: The design of previously used devices is not ideal for this purpose, and their use has been associated with several drawbacks, especially in large PDAs. METHODS: Forty-three patients, aged 0.3 to 33 years (mean 6.4+/-6.7 years), with a moderate to large, type A to E PDA, underwent attempted transcatheter closure using the ADO. The device is a plug-shaped repositionable occluder made of 0.004-in. nitinol wire mesh. It is delivered through a 5F to 6F long sheath. The mean PDA diameter (at the pulmonary end) was 3.9+/-1.2 mm (range 2.2 to 8 mm). All patients had color flow echocardiographic follow-up (6 to 24 months) at 24 h, 1 and 3 months after closure, and at 6-month intervals thereafter. RESULTS: The mean ADO diameter was 6.1+/-1.4 mm (range 4 to 10 mm). Complete angiographic closure was seen in 40 of 43 patients (93%; 95% confidence interval [CI] 85.4% to 100%). The remaining three patients had a trivial angiographic shunt through the ADO. At 24 h, color flow mapping revealed no shunt in all patients. A 9F long sheath was required for repositioning of a misplaced 8-mm device into the pulmonary artery. The mean fluoroscopy time was 7.9+/-1.6 min (range 4.6 to 12 min). There were no complications. No obstruction of the descending aorta or the pulmonary artery branches was noted on Doppler follow-up studies. Neither thromboembolization nor hemolysis or device failure was encountered. CONCLUSIONS: Transcatheter closure using the ADO is an effective and safe therapy for the majority of patients with patency of the arterial duct. Further studies are required to establish long-term results in a larger patient population.     

Evaluation of Gianturco Coils for Closure of Large (≥3.5 mm) Patent Ductus Arteriosus

Objectives. This report evaluates the use of Gianturco coils to close large patent ductus arteriosus (PDAs) (≥3.5 mm) and describes transvenous delivery of 0.052-in. (0.132-cm) Gianturco coils.

Background. Coil closure of PDAs has become increasingly popular. However, the technique has significant limitations when used to close large PDAs. This report evaluates patient characteristics, PDA anatomy, hemodynamic variables, delivery technique and coil geometry to determine predictors of success.

Methods. Between January 1995 and January 1997, 16 of 118 patients undergoing catheterization for PDA closure were found to have large PDAs. Their median age and weight were 14 months (range 3 months to 43 years) and 8.5 kg (range 3.5 to 73), respectively. The mean PDA diameter was 4.3 mm (range 3.5 to 5.9). Closure of PDAs was attempted using transcatheter delivery of 0.038-in. (0.096-cm) and 0.052-in. coils. Differences in clinical, anatomic, hemodynamic and technical variables between successes and failures were compared.

Results. Eleven (69%) of 16 patients had successful closure of their PDA. Failures occurred only in patients <8 months of age with an indexed PDA diameter >7 mm/m and a pulmonary/systemic flow ratio ≥2.8:1. Use of 0.052-in. coils tended to reduce the incidence of embolization and the number of coils needed for closure.

Conclusions. Patients >8 months of age can have successful closure of large PDAs with currently available Gianturco coils. The 0.052-in. Gianturco coils can be used safely to close large PDAs in infants as small as 6 kg. Increased experience and improved coil design may improve closure rates of large PDAs in infants.     

应用Amplatzer封堵器经导管治疗直径≥8mm动脉导管未闭的疗效评价

目的 :应用 Amplatzer封堵器经导管治疗直径≥ 8mm的大型动脉导管未闭 （PDA）并对其疗效进行评价。方法 :全组 5 0例 ,年龄 2 6 .4± 2 3.2 （4.0～ 6 0 .0 ）岁。 PDA最窄处直径为 10 .2± 2 .3（8.0～ 15 .0 ） mm。封堵 10 m in后行侧位降主动脉造影 ,术后 1d及 1月行超声心动图检查 ,观察有无残余分流及 PDA再通。结果 :47例 PDA采用Amplatzer PDA封堵器治疗 ,2例采用 Amplatzer ASD封堵器治疗 ,1例 PDA伴有阻力性肺动脉高压未行介入治疗。术后 10 min降主动脉造影显示 ,19例存在微～少量残余分流 ,30例封堵完全无残余分流。术后 2 4h、术后 1月超声心动图未见残余分流及再通。结论 :应用 Am platzer封堵器治疗直径≥ 8mm的大型动脉导管未闭是一种安全有效的介入方法。     

经导管介入治疗冠状动脉瘘

目的：探讨经导管介入治疗冠状动脉瘘的方法及临床疗效。方法：经导管堵塞冠状动脉瘘14例，平均年龄7．1岁。结果：13例应用弹簧圈堵塞，平均瘘口大小为3．65mm，除3例失败外均获成功；1例（瘘口6．6mm）应用Amplatzer动脉导管未闭堵塞器堵塞成功。所有病例随访1个月－4年，均无残余分流及任何并发症。结论：经导管介入治疗冠状动脉瘘具有良好的临床疗效及安全性。可控弹簧圈一般用于堵塞瘘口较小的冠状动脉瘘，而瘘口较大的冠状动脉瘘可选用Amplatzer动脉导管未闭堵塞器。     

国产封堵器介入治疗动脉导管未闭的临床分析

目的总结应用国产封堵器治疗动脉导管未闭的临床疗效。方法本组动脉导管未闭患者10例,男4例,女6例,年龄3~55岁,体重10.5~54 kg,平均肺动脉压33~49 mm Hg。降主动脉侧位造影显示病理解剖类型为管型8例,漏斗型2例,最窄处直径2~8 mm,应用国产封堵器经静脉途径行封堵术。术后超声心动图随访。结果10例患者均成功封堵,术后即刻完全封堵9例,1例有少量残余分流,术后24小时彩色多普勒超声检查示分流消失,肺动脉压均有下降,随访无严重并发症。结论国产封堵器治疗动脉导管未闭是一种安全有效的方法。     

Contemporary outcomes of percutaneous closure of patent ductus arteriosus in adolescents and adults

BackgroundCatheter based treatment has gained wide acceptance for management of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) ever since its introduction. Percutaneous closure in adults can be challenging because of anatomical factors including large sizes, associated pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and co-morbidities. This study aimed to provide comprehensive contemporary data on the safety and efficacy of percutaneous device closure of PDA in adult and adolescent population at a large referral center.MethodsThis single-center retrospective analysis included 70 patients (33 adolescents and 37 adults) who underwent successful percutaneous device closure of PDA between January 2011 and February 2017.Baseline patient demographics, clinical characteristics, procedural and device related variables, and immediate outcomes during hospital stay were recorded. Patients were followed up for residual shunt and complications.ResultsOf 70 PDA device closure cases, 71.4% were females; the mean age was 23 years (range:10-58years). Devices used were 4-Cook’s detachable coils, 64-occluders (ADO-I and II, Lifetech, Cardi-O-Fix), 1-vascular plug and 1-ventricular septal occluder device. Device success was achieved in all including those with very large PDAs. At 24-h post-procedure, the success rate of transcatheter intervention was 95.7%. At 6-months follow up, complete closure was observed in all (mean follow up duration-531 days). In patients with severe PAH, significant immediate and sustained reduction of the mean pulmonary pressure was observed(77 mmHg to 33 mmHg;P = 0.014). No procedure-related complications including death, device embolization and stenosis of aorta or pulmonary artery occurred.ConclusionsIn contemporary practice, percutaneous device closure is an effective and safe treatment option for adolescent and adult PDA patients.     

Comparison and results of transcatheter closure of patent ductus arteriosus using the swivel-disk device versus plug occluder in children

The transcatheter closure of certain types of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) remains a challenge. The investigators report initial clinical experience with 25 patients who underwent PDA occlusion with the use of a swivel-disk device (SDD) or a plug occluder (PO). The patients were divided into 2 groups: in the SDD group, 12 patients aged 1 to 2 years with type A PDA underwent attempted closure using the SDD, a modified Amplatzer duct occluder with a very low profile retention disk that can adapt itself at different PDA insertion angles. The mean PDA diameter was 4.8 +/- 1.5 mm (range 3.8 to 8). In the PO group, 13 patients aged 0.5 to 3 years with type C, D, or E PDA underwent attempted occlusion with the PO, a tubular occluder made of Nitinol wire mesh. The mean PDA diameter was 4.2 +/- 3.5 mm (range 1.2 to 9). The 2 occluders are filled with Dacron patches. The mean device diameters were 6.5 +/- 1.2 and 6.8 +/- 2.2 mm (range 4 to 11) in the SDD and PO groups, respectively. Complete angiographic closure was seen in 24 of 25 patients. The deployment of 4 5-PDA5 coils abolished a residual shunt associated with hemolysis in a 5-month-old patient with a large type C PDA after the implantation of an 11-mm PO. No other complications were observed. In conclusion, the SDD and the PO are promising additions to the armamentarium for PDA closure.     

动脉导管未闭合并重度肺动脉高压Amplatzer法封堵治疗的临床应用--12例初步报告

目的评价Amplatzer封堵器治疗动脉导管未闭(PDA)合并重度肺动脉高压(SPH)的初步疗效.方法对12例(女9例,男3例)PDA合并SPH患者实施封堵治疗.其中10例采用Amplatzer动脉导管未闭封堵器,2例采用Amplatzer房间隔缺损封堵器.结果全组12例PDA封堵器均放置成功.11例PDA封堵后30分至1小时肺动脉收缩压、肺动脉平均压均明显降低.1例封堵术后即刻肺动脉压无变化.术后36小时彩色多普勒估测肺动脉压明显下降,封堵术后30分降主动脉造影,无残余分流9例,微量残余分流2例,少量残余分流1例.全组术后24～48小时彩色多普勒检查,动脉水平左向右分流均完全消失.无重要并发症发生.随访1～24个月(平均8个月),患者症状改善,11例心脏缩小,无1例发生再通.结论采用Amplatzer法封堵治疗PDA合并SPH,近期疗效满意.     

Patent ductus arteriosus closure using the new Amplatzer Duct Occluder. Preliminary results and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is the second most common congenital heart disease. A large number of surgical and transcatheter techniques for the interruption or closure of PDA has been reported. The aim of this study was to assess the immediate and short-term results of transcatheter closure of PDA using the new, self-expandable, self-centering, and repositionable Amplatzer Duct Occluder device. METHODS: We attempted occlusion of PDA with the Amplatzer Duct Occluder in seven consecutive patients, one child and six adults, four females and three males, between September 1999 and January 30th 2000. All PDAs but one were approached from the femoral venous site; the Amplatzer Duct Occluder size was selected in order to be 2 mm larger than the duct's diameter at its narrowest site and the mean PDA diameter was 5.4+/-2.5 mm (range 3-9). All patients underwent physical examination, chest X-ray and echocardiography within 48 hours and on first and third month after PDA occlusion. RESULTS: Four patients had a megaphone type (type A), and three had an elongated, conical type (type E) PDA. Four patients had immediate, complete angiographic closure of the ductus 10 minutes after the procedure, one had a trace shunt and two had small shunts which all disappeared within 48 hours. The average fluoroscopy time and procedural time were 34.4+/-10.6 min (range 21-50) and 105+/-38.9 min (range 75-190) respectively. There were no complications at follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Transcatheter closure of PDA using the new Amplatzer Duct Occluder is an easy and effective technique. Moreover it is safe even in the presence of wide PDAs.     

Lung perfusion studies after transcatheter closure of persistent ductus arteriosus with the Amplatzer duct occluder

Background : Reduced left lung perfusion has been described after transcatheter closure of the patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) with several prostheses. Although the Amplatzer ductal occluder (ADO) device is currently the most widely used occluder for closure of large‐sized PDAs, the potential consequences of flow distribution to the lungs of this device have not been completely clarified. We evaluated lung perfusion following occlusion of PDA with the ADO device. Methods : Forty‐seven patients underwent successful transcatheter PDA occlusion using the ADO device were included in this study. Lung perfusion scans were performed 6 months after the procedure. Results : Decreased perfusion to the left lung (defined as < 40% of total lung flow) was observed in 17 patients (36%), 5 of whom were low‐weight symptomatic infants. Ductal ampulla length was significantly shorter and minimal ductal diameter to ampulla diameter ratio was significantly higher in patients with decreased left lung perfusion and correlated well with left lung perfusion values (r = 0.516 and r = ?0.501, respectively). A cut‐off value of ≤5.8 mm for the ductal ampulla length and ≥1.9 for ampulla diameter to ampulla length ratio showed high sensitivity and specificity for reduced lung perfusion. Conclusions : The incidence of abnormal left lung perfusion is high 6 months after transcatheter closure of PDA with the ADO, more likely in the low weight symptomatic infants and in patients with a short duct or a relatively shallow duct having abrupt narrowing of a large ampulla. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Subclinical aortic perforation with the infant double-button patent ductus arteriosus occluder.

Modification of the double-button (Sideris) patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) occluder has resulted in a single-strut aortic component rather than the conventional cross-strut design. We report the use of this infant PDA occluder for transcatheter closure in three patients with PDA measuring 2 mm, 3.7 mm, and 4 mm. Subclinical aortic perforation with a small aortic aneurysm developed in two patients 1 year after occluder implantation. The third patient had developed a small aortic aneurysm without perforation at 3-month follow-up. All three patients had a residual shunt and underwent successful PDA surgical closure with aortic aneurysmal repair. Single-strut umbrella designs are not recommended for PDA transcatheter closure.     

Transcatheter occlusion of gigantic persistent ductus arteriosus (PDA) using a custom‐made persistent ductus arteriosus occluder

We reported transcatheter closure of gigantic persistent ductus arteriosus (PDA) complicated by severe pulmonary hypertension (PH) using a custom‐made PDA occluder. A 19‐year‐old lady weighing 45 kg visited to our Heart Saving Project in Mongolia with a chief complaint of shortness of breath. Contrast CT scan showed ellipsoidal section of PDA whose long axis being 28 mm, and the short axis of 21 mm. A custom‐made PDA occluder, whose retention skirt, the aortic side, and the pulmonic side diameter of the body were 54, 36, 34 mm, respectively, was successfully deployed using 14‐Fr sheath. Pulmonary pressure decreased around a half compared to before closure. A custom‐made duct occluder could be a reasonable and cost‐effective choice for transcatheter closure of gigantic PDA complicated by severe PH. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Trans‐catheter closure of patent ductus arteriosus—What is the best device?

Background : Over the past three decades, transcatheter occlusion of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) has evolved to be the procedure of choice. Gianturco and Flipper coils are the most commonly used coils in the United States for closure of small and moderate size PDAs. For larger PDAs, interventionalists in the United States commonly use the Amplatzer Duct Occluder (ADO) and those in Europe use the ADO or the Nit‐Occlud Coils (NOC). A comparison between Gianturco coils, Flipper coils, ADO, and NOC has never been made. Objective : To compare the success and complication rate associated with the four different devices used for transcatheter closure of PDA. Success was defined as complete closure of PDA with absence of a residual shunt (R.S.) at six months follow‐up. Methods : Two institutions collaborated in combining their data to evaluate the results of transcatheter closure of PDA. Results : Totally, 546 patients underwent successful PDA occlusion at both institutions. Gianturco and Flipper coils were used in 120 (22%) and 119 (22%) patients respectively. A total of 152 (28%) patients received ADO and 155 (28%) patients received NOC. Immediate R.S. were noted in 226 (41.4%) patients in the entire study group with the NOC group having the highest percentage of R.S. (80/155, 51.6%, P = 0.004). Of the 484 patients with follow‐up echocardiograms at 6 months, 35 (7.2%) patients had persistent R.S. The NOC (3/143, 2.1%) and ADO (5/150, 3.3%) groups had the least R.S. at six months follow‐up. Conclusion : Per our definition of success, the Nit‐Occlud coils and the Amplatzer duct‐occluder devices had significantly higher success rate for PDA occlusion versus the coils. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

国产蘑菇伞介入治疗成人动脉导管未闭的临床疗效评价

目的: 评价国产蘑菇伞经导管介入治疗成人动脉导管未闭(PDA)的临床疗效。方法: 选择我科156(男54,女102)例成人PDA实施经导管介入治疗的患者,年龄18～65(32±13)岁;体质量43.8～68.5(51±8)kg;行右心导管检查测定肺动脉压力、主动脉压力,行主动脉弓降部造影,确定PDA位置、形状及大小,PDA最窄处内径1.5～18.2 (5±5)mm。以国产蘑菇伞堵闭器行介入治疗,根据封堵实验决定能否行永久封堵。术后24 h、1、3、6 和12个月行彩色多普勒超声心动图检查随访。结果: 4例封堵后30 min肺动脉收缩压无下降,反而有轻度上升,考虑为阻力性重度肺动脉高压,撤出封堵器。余152例成功地植入封堵器,术后30 min肺动脉压收缩压由术前(48±23)mmHg降为(36±12)mmHg(P<0.05),肺动脉平均压降由术前(40±14)mmHg降为(27±11)mmHg(P<0.05),主动脉压由术前(102±13)mmHg变化至(107±14)mmHg(P>0.05)。术后30 min主动脉弓降部造影显示,119例(78.3％)封堵完全,33例(21.7％)可见极少量残余分流,术后24 h心脏彩超复查147例(96.7％)封堵完全,5例(3.3％)有少量残余分流,术后1个月彩超复查皆无残余分流;无再通和堵闭器移位等并发症发生。结论: 在不可逆性阻力性重度肺动脉高压发生前应用国产蘑菇伞经导管封堵治疗成人PDA是一种安全、简便、有效、创伤小、恢复快的方法。     

Echocardiographic predictors of candidacy for successful transcatheter atrial septal defect closure

We reviewed pre-closure echocardiograms on all patients undergoing transcatheter atrial septal defect (ASD) closure with the Bard double-umbrella occluder device aided by simultaneous transesophageal echocardiography to determine precatheterization predictors of outcome. Transesophageal echocardiograms were performed on 28 of 132 patients (22%) undergoing device closure (age = 3–72 years, mean = 14 years; weight = 15–68 kg, mean = 35 kg). Three devices were removed because of unstable position. Of the remaining 25 patients, 21 had effective closure (residual flow diameter ≤ 3 mm) and 18 had favorable arm position (device arm on proper side of the septum and not in contact with an atrioventricular valve leaflet). Only ASD size predicted effective closure. All patients with a maximum defect size of < 13 mm had effective closure. Among the 17 patients with defects ≥ 13 mm, 10 had effective closure, 4 had significant residual flow, and 3 had devices removed for unstable position. Atrial dimensions and rim size did not predict effective closure. There were no pre-closure predictors of favorable arm position which was associated only with the size of the device implanted.     

Transcatheter closure of moderate to large patent ductus arteriosus with the Amplatzer duct occluder.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the acute and follow-up results of transcatheter closure of moderate to large patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) with the Amplatzer duct occluder. METHODS: Between April 2000 and June 2005, 237 patients underwent attempted transcatheter closure of PDA, of whom Amplatzer duct occluder was used in 68 patients with moderate-to-large-sized PDA (45 females, with ages ranging from 56 days to 75 years, median 3.3 years). Moderate to large PDA is defined as ductus diameter > or =2.5 mm (> or =3 mm in early phase of this study) in infants and young children, or > or =4 mm in adolescents and adults. The size of device selected was generally at least 1-2 mm larger than ductus diameter. RESULTS: The ductus diameter ranged from 2.5 to 8.5 mm (4.1 +/- 1.3 mm). Amplatzer duct occluder was successfully deployed in 66 out of 68 patients. The size of device deployed ranged from 4 to 12 mm (6.3 +/- 1.6 mm). The causes of failure in the 2 patients included calcification of ductus resulting, in failure in advancing a sheath to descending aorta in 1 and kinking of a Cook sheath in the other. Distal embolization of the device occurred several hours later in one. After the device was retrieved percutaneously, the patient was sent to surgery. No other significant complications occurred. In the 3-month follow-up, complete occlusion was achieved in all patients. No patient had left pulmonary artery stenosis. CONCLUSIONS: Transcatheter closure of moderate-to-large-sized ductus with Amplatzer ductus occluder is effective and safe.     

Transcatheter closure of large patent ductus arteriosus at high altitude with a novel nitinol device

Background : Patent ducti arteriosi (PDAs) are more frequent and larger at high altitude than at sea level. A novel PDA closure device, the Nitocclud PDA‐R, is designed specifically for both large and medium size PDAs. The initial clinical experience with a new nitinol‐based device in high altitude patients with large PDAs is described. Methods : The Nitocclud PDA‐R is a self‐expandable, self‐centering, repositionable occluder made of one nitinol wire without use of welding. It contains several polyester membranes, is delivered with a central guide wire and is released by retraction of the central wire into the delivery catheter. The efficacy of this device was evaluated at several high altitude centers. Results : Fifty‐one patients without other congenital cardiac defects underwent transcatheter closure of PDA. Complete occlusion of the PDA was achieved in 98% of the patients. Nearly 49% of the patients had no shunt immediately after device implantation. Echocardiography revealed a complete closure rate by Doppler interrogation of 69% after 24 hr, 96% after 6 months, and 98% after 1 year. In two cases, device embolization was observed after release, and in both cases the device was easily retrieved with standard interventional techniques. There have been no episodes of delayed device migration, endocarditis, hemolysis, wire fracture, device disruption, or death. Conclusions : The Nitocclud PDA‐R device is safe and effective and can easily close very large PDAs. This device has a high rate of complete occlusion within 1 year and is easily retrieved if embolized. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Transcatheter closure of patent ductus arteriosus using the Amplatzer duct occluder: initial results and mid-term follow-up

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Transcatheter closure of patent ductus arteriosus is a well-established procedure. The aim of this study was to assess the initial and mid-term results of the treatment of PDA with the Amplatzer duct occluder. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From October 1999 to December 2001, 30 children underwent transcatheter closure of persistent ductus arteriosus at a mean SD age of 5 4.02 years (range: 3 months to 14 years) and weight of 20.3 10.3 kg (range: 4.5-45 kg). Infants under 10 kg weight made up 46% of total patients. A lateral view aortogram was made to determine the morphology of the ductus and select the size of the device. Occlusion was achieved using the anterograde venous approach. Follow-up evaluations were made with chest X-ray and echocardiogram at 24 hours and 1, 4 and 12 months after implantation. RESULTS: Twenty-eight patients (93.3%) immediately achieved complete occlusion, and on color Doppler examination the closure rate was 100% within 24 hours of implantation. There was no device embolization. In the follow-up, a 19-month-old patient developed a 20 mmHg gradient across the aortic arch. CONCLUSIONS: Patent ductus arteriosus can be easily occluded with the Amplatz Duct Occluder, which is effective and particularly useful in infants and children with relatively large PDA. Further experience and long-term follow-up are still needed to assess the safety of this device in smaller children.