[Non-surgical closure of patent ductus arteriosus: acute and long-term results].
BACKGROUND
Closure of a patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) even with small shunt volumes in asymptomatic patients is recommended because of the risk of endocarditis (1.5% per year) and the potential development of congestive heart failure or pulmonary hypertension.


METHODS
16 patients (9 adults [5 men/4 women] and 7 children [3 boys/4 girls]) underwent transcatheter closure of a PDA. The intervention was performed using the Rashkind umbrella in 12 cases, the Amplatzer duct occluder in 2 cases, a coil in 2 cases, and the Sideris self-adjusting device in one case. Echocardiographic controls were carried out one day, 6 months, 12 months and 24 months after the intervention.


RESULTS
PDA closure was complete immediately following the intervention in 9 of 16 patients (56%). At follow-up (mean 19 months) complete closure was observed in 14 of 16 patients (87%). All residual shunts were trivial. The complete closure rate in adults was 100% and in children 71%. Complications such as device embolism, endarteritis and haemolysis did not occur.


CONCLUSIONS
Non-surgical closure of a PDA is a safe and effective technique.
Chatterjee
T
T
Kardiologie, Universitätsspital, Bern. tushar.chatterjee@insel.ch
Windecker
S
S
Pfammatter
J P
JP
Seiler
C
C
Meier
B
B
D000328:Adult; D006328:Cardiac Catheterization; D002648:Child; D004374:Ductus Arteriosus, Patent / Q000628:therapy*; D004452:Echocardiography; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome