Percutaneous catheter closure of the persistently patent ductus arteriosus in the adult.

The USCI patent ductus occluder has been shown to be an effective nonsurgical technique for closure of the persistently patent ductus in a primarily pediatric population. Its clinical impact in the adult has been reported only within small subgroups of larger pediatric studies or for a small population. This study was conducted to determine the feasibility, success rate, and complications of device closure for the persistently patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in the adult. The population consisted of 55 patients (4 men and 51 women; mean age 38.8 +/- 15.0 years) with follow-up of 2.2 +/- 2.1 years. All patients underwent echocardiography obtained as part of their follow-up assessment. The device was successfully placed in 54 patients, with 75% clinical and echocardiographic closure at the first follow-up assessment 2.4 +/- 2.6 months). One patient with initial clinical and echocardiographic evidence of closure was subsequently found to have an open ductus. Spontaneous closure (2 patients) or second implant (6 patients) resulted in 86% closure at the most recent assessment. Thus, the percutaneous PDA double-umbrella occluder device is a feasible and effective technique for closing persistent PDA in the adult and will result in occlusion of the shunt in most patients without the need for thoracotomy.