OBJECTIVES: The short-term efficacy and safety of transcatheter closure (TCC) for the management of coronary artery fistulas (CAFs) was investigated in pediatric patients. BACKGROUND: CAFS are rare with potentially severe complications and their management is still a matter of debate. Percutaneous closure appears to be the treatment of choice in anatomically suitable vessels but limited data are available in the pediatric population. METHODS: This retrospective, observational, multicenter, national study included patients under 16 years of age who underwent TCC of a congenital CAF. Patients with additional congenital heart defect were excluded. RESULTS: 61 patients (36 girls, 25 boys) with a median age of 0.6 year [0-15.4] at diagnosis and 3.9 years [0-16] at procedure were included. The CAF was large in 48 patients (79%); it was distal in 23 (38%) and proximal in 22 (36%). Most patients (77%) were asymptomatic at diagnosis. Clinical signs of congestive heart failure were present in seven patients (11%). Perioperative complications included three cases of ST elevation myocardial infarction (exclusively during attempted closure of a distal CAF), three devices migrations, and one case of leg ischemia. One patient died after surgical closure of a large distal CAF that could not be closed by TCC. Follow-up data were collected for 43 patients (70%) for a median of 91 days [0-4,824]. The Kaplan-Meyer estimate for complete occlusion at 2 years was 73 ± 7.6%. CONCLUSION: TCC in the pediatric population appears to be effective and associated with few complications.
OBJECTIVES: The short-term efficacy and safety of transcatheter closure (TCC) for the management of coronary artery fistulas (CAFs) was investigated in pediatric patients. BACKGROUND:CAFS are rare with potentially severe complications and their management is still a matter of debate. Percutaneous closure appears to be the treatment of choice in anatomically suitable vessels but limited data are available in the pediatric population. METHODS: This retrospective, observational, multicenter, national study included patients under 16 years of age who underwent TCC of a congenital CAF. Patients with additional congenital heart defect were excluded. RESULTS: 61 patients (36 girls, 25 boys) with a median age of 0.6 year [0-15.4] at diagnosis and 3.9 years [0-16] at procedure were included. The CAF was large in 48 patients (79%); it was distal in 23 (38%) and proximal in 22 (36%). Most patients (77%) were asymptomatic at diagnosis. Clinical signs of congestive heart failure were present in seven patients (11%). Perioperative complications included three cases of ST elevation myocardial infarction (exclusively during attempted closure of a distal CAF), three devices migrations, and one case of leg ischemia. One patient died after surgical closure of a large distal CAF that could not be closed by TCC. Follow-up data were collected for 43 patients (70%) for a median of 91 days [0-4,824]. The Kaplan-Meyer estimate for complete occlusion at 2 years was 73 ± 7.6%. CONCLUSION:TCC in the pediatric population appears to be effective and associated with few complications.