INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: 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. PATIENTS AND 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.
INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: 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. PATIENTS AND 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.