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


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.
Fernández Ruiz
Aurora
A
Servicio de Cardiología Pediátrica. Hospital Infantil La Paz. Madrid. España. afernandez@hulp.insalud.es
del Cerro Marín
M Jesús
MJ
Rubio Vidal
Dolores
D
Castro Gussoni
M Carmen
MC
Moreno Granados
Felipe
F
D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D001027:Aortography; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004374:Ductus Arteriosus, Patent / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic; D013997:Time Factors; D018608:Ultrasonography, Doppler