Use of the Amplatzer vascular occluder to occlude large venous vessels in adults and children with congenital heart disease: a case series.

We describe the use of a new vascular occlusion device to embolize vessels whose flow is detrimental to cardiac function in a variety of clinical situations in both adults and children with congenital cardiac disease. Our series includes four cases in which we have successfully occluded large venous vessels, to produce a beneficial effect on oxygen saturations and cardiac function. There were no adverse events because of the devices in our series, which provides evidence that the Amplatzer vascular plug is a safe and effective method of embolizing large venous vessels. Copyright (c) 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.