title: PFO "angioplasty": The preparation of a very stiff and long tunnel for device closure.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Patent foramen ovale (PFO) closure is a widely performed procedure. Understanding the anatomy is mandatory in order to perform the procedure successfully. The degree of overlap between the septum primum and secundum is called the tunnel. In particular, long and stiff tunnels may prevent the correct positioning of devices that have a fixed distance between the right and left atrial discs.
  
  
  METHODS
  We evaluated retrospectively 361 patients with PFO closure between January 2012 and June 2014 in our institution and were treated due to previous history of ischemic stroke. By TEE, the overlap between septum primum and secundum is usually better seen on the bicaval view that is obtained at 75-90° midesophageal views. Tunnel length and PFO opening were measured. Twelve subjects (median age 35 years; range 30-58 years; three females) showed a long (median 22 mm; range 15-32 mm) and rigid tunnel (median opening 2 mm; range 1-4 mm).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Angioplasty of the tunnel was performed by using peripheral angioplasty balloons with a length ranging from 4 to 8 cm and a diameter between 8 and 12 mm. After angioplasty, the tunnel appeared shorter (12 mm; range 8-16 mm) and less rigid (median opening 8 mm; range 7-12 mm). The following devices were implanted: 25 mm Amplatzer PFO occluder in three patients; 25 mm Gore septal occluder in nine subjects. Median fluoroscopy time was 8 min (range 6-10 min). No complications occurred. At a median follow-up of 12 months (range 2-18 months), no problems occurred and all subjects but one (trivial residual shunting) showed a complete closure.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Angioplasty of a PFO rigid and stiff tunnel is a feasible and safe option. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
authors: Department of Congenital Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery, Policlinico San Donato IRCCS, Milan, Italy.
authors: Gianfranco
authors: G
authors: Butera
authors: Department of Congenital Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery, Policlinico San Donato IRCCS, Milan, Italy.
authors: Luciane
authors: L
authors: Piazza
authors: Department of Congenital Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery, Policlinico San Donato IRCCS, Milan, Italy.
authors: Mohamed
authors: M
authors: Heles
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015906:Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006328:Cardiac Catheterization / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation*; D062906:Cardiac Catheters; D019560:Echocardiography, Three-Dimensional; D017548:Echocardiography, Transesophageal; D005260:Female; D005471:Fluoroscopy; D054092:Foramen Ovale, Patent / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D015641:Radiography, Interventional; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055989:Septal Occluder Device; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: angioplasty; closure; patent foramen ovale; transcatheter