title: Percutaneous occlusion of the patent ductus arteriosus with the amplatzer device for atrial septal defects.
abstract: We report two cases in which adult patients with large and short patent ductus arteriosus with shallow/no aortic ampulla and associated pulmonary hypertension had the defects successfully closed percutaneously using Amplatzer devices designed for atrial septal defect occlusion. The defects were  stretched  with a sizing balloon for optimal ductal size determination and device selection. Surgical treatment for associated discrete membranous subaortic stenosis was deferred in one patient because of significant gradient reduction in the left ventricular outflow tract after ductal occlusion. The technique of this novel approach and its possible advantages are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Instituto Dante Pazzanese de Cardiologia, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil. cacpedra@uol.com.br
authors.forename: Carlos A C
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Pedra
authors.forename: Serrana A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Sanches
authors.forename: Valmir F
authors.initials: VF
authors.lastname: Fontes
mesh_terms: D006328:Cardiac Catheterization / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D004374:Ductus Arteriosus, Patent / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D004864:Equipment and Supplies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006976:Hypertension, Pulmonary / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016896:Treatment Outcome