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

BACKGROUND: Surgical closure of patent ductus arteriosus in adult patients may be problematic. Transcatheter closure of patent ductus arteriosus is an established procedure. Recently, transcatheter closure of patent ductus arteriosus using the Amplatzer duct occluder has been shown to be safe and efficacious. We present our experience with this device in adults. METHODS AND RESULTS: Between January 2000 and January 2002,41 adult patients (31 females and 10 males) with a patent ductus arteriosus were referred for closure with the Amplatzer duct occluder. The median age was 35.6 years (range 18-70.7 years) and the median weight was 65.8 kg (range 32.7-164.5 kg). Of these 41 patients, 37 underwent attempted closure of the patent ductus arteriosus using the Amplatzer duct occluder. The device was successfully deployed in all patients except 1. Complete angiographic closure was seen Immediately after device deployment in 29 out of 36 patients (81%). Complete echocardiographic closure was demonstrated within 24 hours post-procedure in 34 out of 36 patients (94%), and at 6-month follow-up in 35 out of 36 patients (97%). No complications related to device implantation occurred in any patient. CONCLUSIONS: Closure of patent ductus arteriosus using the Amplatzer duct occluder is safe and effective in adults.     

Evolution of strategies for management of the patent arterial duct

Persistent patency of the arterial duct represents one of the most common lesions in the field of congenital cardiac disease. The strategies for management continue to evolve. In this review, we focus on management beyond the neonatal period. We review the temporal evolution of strategies for management, illustrate the currently available the techniques for permanent closure of the patent arterial duct, review the expected outcomes after closure, discuss the current controversy over the appropriate treatment of the so-called "silent" duct, and provide recommendations for the current state of management of patients with persistent patency of the arterial duct outside of the neonatal period.At the Congenital Heart Institute of Florida, we now recommend closure of all patent arterial ducts, regardless of their size. Before selecting and performing the type of procedure, we explain the natural history of the persistently patent arterial duct to the parents or legal guardian of the child. Particular emphasis is placed on the risks of endocarditis, including the recognition that many cases of endocarditis may not be preventable. The devastating effects of endocarditis, coupled with the perception of more anecdotal reports of endocarditis with the silent duct, as well as the low risk of interventions, has led us to recommend closure of the patent arterial duct in these situations. We now recommend intervention, after informed consent, for all patients with a patent arterial duct regardless of size, including those in which the patent duct is "silent". We recognize, however, that this remains a controversial topic, especially given the new recommendations for endocarditis prophylaxis from American Heart Association. Since 2003, our strategy for closure of the patent arterial duct has changed subsequent to the availability of the Amplatzer occluder. This new device has allowed significantly larger patent arterial ducts to be closed with interventional catheterization procedures that in the past would have been closed at surgery. During the interval between 2002 and 2006 inclusive, the overall surgical volume at our Institute has been stable. Over this period, the number of patients undergoing surgical ligation of the patent arterial duct has decreased, with this decline in volume most notable for the subgroup of patients weighing more than five kilograms. This decrease has been especially notable in thoracoscopic procedures and is attributable to the increased ability to close larger ducts using the Amplatzer occluder. For infants with symptomatic pulmonary overcirculation weighing less than 5 kilograms, our preference is for the surgical approach. For patients who have ductal calcification, significant pleural scarring, or "window-like" arterial ducts, video-assisted ligation is not an option and open surgical techniques are used. When video-assisted ligation is possible, the approach is based on family and surgeon preference. When open thoracotomy is selected, we usually use a muscle-sparing left posterolateral thoracotomy. For patients weighing more than 5 kilograms, we currently recommend percutaneous closure for all patent arterial ducts as the first intervention, reserving surgical treatment for those cases that are not amenable to the percutaneous approach. For symptomatic infants weighing greater than 5 kilogram with large ducts, we prefer to use the Amplatzer occluder. In rare instances, the size of the required ductal occluder is so large that either encroachment into the aorta or pulmonary arteries is noted, and the device is removed. The child is then referred for surgical closure. We can now often predict via echocardiography that a duct is too large for transcatheter closure, even with the Amplatzer occluder, and refer these patients directly to surgery. For patients with an asymptomatic patent arterial duct, we prefer to wait until the weight is from 10 to 12 kilograms, or they are closer to 2 years of age. If the patent arterial duct is greater than 2.0 to 2.5 millimetres in diameter, our preference is to use the Amplatzer occluder. For smaller ducts, we typically use stainless steel coils. Using this strategy, we close all patent arterial ducts, regardless of their size.     

Three-dimensional rotational digital angiography in a complicated case of patent ductus arteriosus transcatheter closure.

There has been no report so far as to the usefulness of 3D rotational angiography in congenital heart disease interventions. We present a case of a difficult patent ductus arteriosus in which 3D rotational angiography was the key to successful closure. A 64-year-old woman who had been operated on many years previously for a patent ductus arteriosus came to our attention for a heart murmur on the left upper sternal border. Echocardiography revealed a still patent duct with moderate shunt. The patient underwent cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, which confirmed patency of the duct, but its diameter and length were difficult to measure due to the particular orientation and morphology of the previously legated duct. It was decided to attempt device closure. Three-dimensional rotational digital subtraction technique enabled us to find the most useful projection for measuring the duct and selecting the best implant device (coil or Amplatzer device). The exact oblique and cranio-caudal degree of the selected projection on rotational 3D reconstruction was replicated to obtain the best standard digital subtraction angiographic view of the duct. Thus, a 5/4-mm Amplatzer Duct Occluder was selected and successfully implanted with excellent results. This case suggests that 3D rotational angiography may be an important imaging tool to guide congenital heart disease interventions such as patent ductus arteriosus closure or aortic coarctation repair.     

Closure of Large Patent Ductus Arteriosus in Renal Failure under Echocardiographic Guidance without Use of Radiographic Contrast Media

Large patent ductus arteriosus with large left‐to‐right shunt results in heart failure, and if untreated, leads to multiorgan dysfunction. Use of radiographic iodinated contrast media for angiogram during transcatheter duct closure may aggravate preexistent renal dysfunction. Aortogram with contrast media was avoided in a patient with renal failure, and echocardiogram guided deployment of duct occluder device in the cardiac catheterization laboratory for closure of a large duct. This article highlights use of a nitinol‐based occluder that employs nonporous polytetrafluoroethylene fabric to aid in instantaneous duct closure.     

Right patent ductus arteriosus with an ipsilateral aortic arch: percutaneous closure with amplatzer devices

The association of a right aortic arch with an ipsilateral patent ductus arteriosus is rare, especially when there are no other intracardiac anomalies. We report three female patients aged 26, 35 and 9 years with this combination in whom previous attempts at surgical closure by thoracotomy and sternotomy were unsuccessful and who subsequently underwent successful percutaneous closure of the defects using Amplatzer devices. In two patients, although angiography demonstrated the presence of type-A patent ductus arteriosus, it was not possible to determine the minimum diameter accurately and it was necessary to measure it using a sizing balloon. An Amplatzer duct occluder was used in two patients and an Amplatzer muscular ventricular septal defect occluder, in the other. In all patients, full closure was confirmed in the catheterization laboratory and the patients were discharged on the same day with no complications. Percutaneous closure of a right patent ductus arteriosus associated with a right aortic arch is feasible, safe and effective.     

Transcatheter closure of patent ductus arteriosus with the Amplatzer duct occluder: short-term follow-up

BACKGROUND: Transcatheter closure of the patent ductus arteriosus is a well established procedure. The objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness and the safety of the Amplatzer duct occluder. METHODS AND RESULTS: Occlusion of the patent ductus arteriosus was attempted in 23 patients. The median weight was 11.7 Kg (range, 5 kg - 42.4 kg) with a mean ductus diameter of 3.7 mm (range, 1.6 - 7.2 mm). The immediate closure rate was 86% with a closure rate of 100% at 6 months, 1 year and 2 years following device placement. There was one device embolization that occurred immediately following device placement. No patient had aortic narrowing or pulmonary artery stenosis following the procedure. CONCLUSIONS: The Amplatzer duct occluder is safe and effective in the closure of a patent ductus arteriosus up to 7.2 mm in diameter. Selecting a device at least 12 mm larger than the minimal ductal diameter can minimize embolization.     

Use of Amplatzer duct occluder to close severely hypertensive ducts: utility of transient balloon occlusion

BACKGROUND: The dividing line between a patent ductus arteriosus with severe but reversible pulmonary artery hypertension and an Eisenmenger duct remains elusive. Increasing experience with the Amplatzer duct occluder has made non-surgical closure of even large patent ductus arteriosus simple and safe. However, data on the use of this device in severly hypertensive ducti is sparse. METHODS AND RESULTS: There were six patients (2 males, 4 females), wherein transient ductal occlusion was done with an embolectomy balloon catheter. The post-occlusion hemodynamics along with overall clinical and hemodynamic assessment was used to decide the likelihood of benefit of closure and the choice of the device. In four of six patients of patent ductus arteriosus with severe pulmonary artery hypertension (pulmonary vascular resistance index> 8.0 U/m2) the duct was successfully closed using the Amplatzer duct occluder, while in two an Amplatzer ventricular septal defect occluder was used. CONCLUSIONS: Transient balloon occlusion is quite helpful for assessing patients with patent ductus arteriosus with severe pulmonary hypertension, and short-term non-invasive follow-up has shown this strategy to be safe and useful.     

Different transcatheter strategies for aortic coarctation associated with patent ductus arteriosus

BackgroundOlder patients with combination of aortic coarctation and large patent ductus arteriosus can be managed with transcatheter interventions. The strategies depend on anatomy of coarctation and size of ductus arteriosus.MethodsWe present three different patients with this combination. The anatomic factors like isthmic hypoplasia, dilatation of post coarctation descending aorta and size of ductus arteriosus were noted.ResultsPatients with isthmic hypoplasia needed stent angioplasty of the coarctation. If there is no dilatation of post coarctation aorta, a single covered stent excluded the ductus arteriosus and relieved the coarctation gradients. Dilated post coarctation aorta precluded a covered stent and warranted closure of duct with occluder device and stent angioplasty of coarctation. When there is a good sized aortic isthmus in a discrete membranous coarctation, device closure of the duct and balloon aortoplasty was successful.ConclusionsIn coarctation with patent ductus arteriosus associated with good sized aortic isthmus, closure of duct with duct occluder device and balloon aortoplasty would correct the lesions. If there is isthmic hypoplasia, device closure of the duct and stenting of the coarctation is needed. Covered stent is a reasonable alternative only in presence of non dilated descending aorta.     

Follow-up after coil closure of patent ductus arteriosus

A prospective serial follow-up after coil closure of patent ductus arteriosus in 84 patients showed a cumulative duct closure up to 96% at the end of 2 years. Five patients underwent transient recanalization, and 4 patients required repeat procedure for residual shunt or recanalization.     

Embolized amplatzer duct occluder to aorta: Retrieval technique

A 4-year-old girl had an Amplatzer duct occluder embolized to the descending aorta immediately after closure of patent ductus arteriosus: a novel technique of retrieval.     

Surgical treatment of patent ductus arteriosus]

The experience gained with 1400 operations for patent ductus arteriosus performed at the Clinic of the Hospital Surgery of the Gorky Medical Institute during the period from October 1955 through 1973 is presented. The total post-operative lethality comprised 1.3 per cent, it amounting to 6 per cent with complicated patent ductus arteriosus, to 3 per cent among children of junior age and to 0.1 per cent in cases of uncomplicated defect. An analysis of operative and post-operative complications along with a study into remote results of the surgical intervention helped define indications for the closure of the duct in patients with pulmonary hypertension and septic endarteritis. They also showed the possibility of a single-stage correction of combined congenital heart defects. Indications have been worked out for the surgical treatment of patent ductus arteriosus in infants and procedures for the closure of the duct, depending upon its apatomic variants and concomitant complications.     

Advances in interventional occlusion of persistent ductus arteriosus: comparison of results using different occlusion devices

This report describes our results with transcatheter closure of patent ductus arteriosus between March 1993 and May 2000 including our early experience with the Amplatzer duct occluder. One hundred and sixty-six consecutive procedures were performed in 160 patients. The mean age was 6.8 years (range 0.8 to 26.2), mean weight 24.3 kg (range 7.7 to 84.0). Single or multiple coils were implanted successfully in 114 cases, a Rashind double umbrella in 35 patients, and an Amplatzer duct occluder in 16 patients. After failure to implant coils in one patient, a second attempt with a Rashkind double umbrella was successful. Complete closure of the patent ductus arteriosus was achieved in a total of 148 patients (92.5%), mean fluoroscopy time was 13.7 min (range 3.1 to 126 min). In 144 patients (90.0%), occlusion without residual shunting was achieved by the first interventional approach. Angiography showed immediate closure in 44%, echocardiography within 48 h revealed complete closure in additional 28%. In a further 18%, a residual shunt disappeared spontaneously in the following months. In five patients a second procedure was performed to terminate residual shunting after placement of a Rashkind occluder system by coils. In three patients, the residual shunt resolved. In 12 patients (7.5%) echocardiography showed a residual shunt 2-1259 days after interventional approach. Occlusion rates of the different devices were 83% for the Rashkind occluder, 92% for detachable coils, and 100% for the Amplatzer duct occluder. Coil embolisation into the pulmonary artery occurred in two patients, interventional removal was successful in one of them. There were no further complications. According to our experience interventional occlusion of patent ductus arteriosus is highly effective and associated with a low complication rate. Transcatheter closure using the Amplatzer duct occluder seems to be safe and effective also in small children with a body weight of 8 kg and a large ductus diameter. Compared to the total group of patients, the occlusion rate of the Amplatzer duct occluder was significantly higher (p = 0.005), and of the Rashkind occluder system significantly lower (p = 0.026). Therefore, we recommend the use of detachable coils in patients with small ductus (diameter < or = 2 mm) and the Amplatzer duct occluder in those with a larger ductus. Transcatheter closure of the patent ductus arteriosus according to this regimen should achieve occlusion rates above 95%.     

Simultaneous delivery of two patent arterial duct coils via one venous sheath.

A female child, 10 months of age, weighing 7.2 kg, was catheterised for closure of a patent arterial duct. Aortography was performed in the lateral projection and the minimum diameter of the arterial duct was assessed by comparing it to the size of the catheter. The duct size was estimated between 3 and 3.5 mm at the narrowest point, therefore, it was decided to deliver two 5 mm patent arterial duct coils to avoid placement of an 8 mm coil in this small child. Similar operations were subsequently performed in two further children. Simultaneous delivery of two coils via a single long venous sheath is easy, fast, and safe. This simple and inexpensive procedure can reduce irradiation and anaesthesia time.     

Severe intravascular hemolysis after transcatheter closure of a large patent ductus arteriosus using the Amplatzer duct occluder: successful resolution by intradevice coil deployment.

A 21-year-old female developed severe unremitting intravascular hemolysis following closure of a large patent ductus arteriosus using an Amplatzer duct occluder. Percutaneous deployment of fibered platinum coils within the nitinol wire cage of the Amplatzer duct occluder abolished the residual shunt through the device and resulted in cessation of intravascular hemolysis and reversal of its adverse sequelae.     

特殊形态动脉导管未闭的介入治疗

目的探讨特殊形态动脉导管未闭(PDA)的介入治疗方法,评价其临床应用价值。方法7例应用标准型Amplatzer导管封堵器难以完成介入治疗的PDA患者,根据造影显示PDA形态及临床特点,相应选用成角型Amplatzer导管封堵器以及偏心型导管封堵器进行介入治疗,术后以心脏超声随诊评价疗效。结果7例患者皆成功完成介入治疗,无严重并发症发生;其中2例应用成角型Amplatzer导管封堵器,5例应用偏心型导管封堵器;2例经二次手术完成,余患者一次治疗完成。7例患者中,封堵术后即刻造影显示有2例封堵完全,术后24h心脏超声检查示6例封堵完全,术后3个月复查皆封堵完全。结论需要设计和生产不同形态和大小的封堵装置,以扩大PDA介入治疗的适应证。     

Patency or recanalization of the arterial duct after surgical double ligation and transfixion

OBJECTIVE: The frequency of residual shunting or recanalization was investigated in patients in whom a persistently patent arterial duct had been doubly ligated and transfixed during surgical closure. METHODS: We investigated in retrospective fashion for any residual shunting 325 patients who, between January 1990 and December 2004, had undergone surgical double ligation and transfixion of a persistently patent arterial duct. Shunting was discovered in 10 patients, of whom four male and six female. RESULTS: Of those with residual shunting. 4 patients had initially exhibited only persistent patency of the duct, while the other 6 had associated mild cardiac lesions. The mean age at operation was 5.5 years, with a range from 0.5 to 17.9 years. Postoperatively, the mean period for detecting the residual shunt was 22.8 months, with a range from 2 days to 72 months. The frequency of residual shunting amongst our patients, therefore, was 3.1%. We detected the residual shunt by colour-flow Doppler mapping in all patients, although a continuous murmur was heard in only one patient on physical examination. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that clinical sensitivity of detecting residual shunting subsequent to surgical closure of the persistently patent arterial duct is low, and hence that colour-flow Doppler interrogation should be a part of follow up. Residual shunting, or recanalization, may occur even after double ligation and transfixion of the duct. Since the residual flow may emerge after months, or even years, follow-up is needed for longer periods.     

Transcatheter closure of wide, patent ductus arteriosus in an adult patient with severe pulmonary hypertension-a case report

A case of a 49-year-old female with patent ductus arteriosus complicated by severe pulmonary hypertension is presented. The patent ductus arteriosus was successfully closed by the Amplatzer duct occluder. The physical capacity improved from functional NYHA class III at baseline to class I one month after the procedure. A significant reduction of systolic blood pressure in the pulmonary artery and pulmonary resistance was also observed. Indications for transcatheter closure of the patent ductus arteriosus in patients with severe pulmonary hypertension are discussed.     

Transcatheter Closure of Patent Ductus Arteriosus Using the Amplatzer Duct Occluder

The Amplatzer duct occluder (ADO) (AGA Medical Corp., Golden Valley, MN) is designed to meet criteria for an optimal transcatheter technique for closure of a patent ductus arteriosus. It was developed as an alternative to surgical closure and other interventional techniques. It is not technically complex, allows controlled deployment, is retrievable and repositionable, and has a low risk of embolization. The ADO also has very high complete closure rate at 1-month follow-up comparable to surgical ligation and division.     

Percutaneous interventional closure of large pulmonary arteriovenous fistulas with the amplatzer duct occluder

Large pulmonary arteriovenous fistulas (PAVFs) are difficult for transcatheter treatment. This report presents 5 patients aged 3 to 73 years with large PAVFs who underwent successful transcatheter closure with the Amplatzer duct occluder (ADO), designed for the occlusion of patent duct arteriosus. The procedures were performed without complications and provided sustained improvement in arterial oxygen saturation and exercise tolerance on follow-up examination in all patients. The transcatheter closure of large PAVFs with the ADO is effective and can eliminate the need for surgical intervention. The newly designed Amplatzer vascular plug is undergoing clinical trials.     

Simultaneous stent implantation for coarctation of the aorta and closure of patent ductus arteriosus using the Amplatzer™ duct occluder

We report on a 13-year-old girl with coarctation of the aorta and patent ductus arteriosus who underwent successful simultaneous stent implantation for the coarctation and catheter closure of the ductus using an Amplatzer duct occluder. Cathet. Cardiovasc. Intervent. 47:36–38, 1999. © 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.