[Feasibility and results of transcatheter treatment of patent foramen ovale associated with atrial septal aneurysm. Experience of a general hospital in Mulhouse, France].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the results and the feasibility of the technique of percutaneous closing of patent foramen oval (PFO) with Atrial Septal Aneurysm (ASA) among young patients having presented a cryptogenic cerebral ischemia.


METHODS
Eighteen patients: 14 cryptogenic stroke and 4 TIA with a broad PFO (rank III) and an important ASA (excursion higher than 15 mm) at transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). The average age is 48.2 years: man 61%, women 39%. The patients have little cardiovascular risk factor (0.83/patient) and 38% presented recurrent thromboembolic events. Percutaneous closing is carried out under general anaesthesia with TEE and Amplatzer devices implantation. A control TEE is carried out 6 months after closing.


RESULTS
No complication occurred at the time of the procedures. After 72 hours, one patient presented a major complication: one arteriovenous fistula requiring a surgery. Five patients presented a minor complication: two non complicated femoral hematoma, two atrial arrhytmias and one asymptomatic secondary displacement of the device without need for surgery. Seven-teen patients had TEE at six months: the shunt disappeared for 95% from the patients, no thrombus was found. No recurrent thromboembolic event appeared for the 18 patients (median follow-up 19.2 months).


CONCLUSIONS
The installation of a technique of percutaneous closing of the PFO+ASA is safe and effective.
Roth
O
O
Service de cardiologie, hôpital E.-Muller, 20, rue du Docteur-Laennec, BP 1370, 68070 Mulhouse cedex, France. rotho@ch-mulhouse.fr
Jacquemin
L
L
Kenizou
D
D
Mettauer
B
B
Monassier
J-P
JP
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D054087:Atrial Septum; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D054092:Foramen Ovale, Patent / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D005602:France; D006322:Heart Aneurysm / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D006769:Hospitals, General; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019736:Prostheses and Implants