Transluminal closure of patent ductus arteriosus: long-term results of 208 cases treated without thoracotomy.

Patent ductus arteriosus was the first inborn cardiac defect ever eliminated by percutaneous transvascular therapy. The method, results, and complications of Ivalon plugging of the ductus in 208 patients between 5 and 62 years old and treated between 1967 and 1985 are described. Permanent closure was accomplished in 197 patients (94.7%). The following particular benefits are obtainable from the method: no need for thoracotomy; local anesthesia applicable to 65% of all cases; 30 mm average time of intervention; only moderate invasiveness to the patients; only 7 days of hospitalization; good cost-benefit ratio.