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


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.
Pedra
C A
CA
Invasive Cardiology Division, Instituto Dante Pazzanese de Cardiologia, São Paulo, Brasil.
Esteves
C A
CA
Pedra
S R
SR
Braga
S L
SL
Sousa
J E
JE
Fontes
V F
VF
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D006328:Cardiac Catheterization; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures; D002404:Catheterization; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004374:Ductus Arteriosus, Patent / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D012008:Recurrence; D012086:Reoperation