Percutaneous balloon exploration and plug closure of ductus arteriosus.

Percutaneous closure of ductus arteriosus (DA), preceded by a balloon exploration of the defect and a catheter scale examination of the foam plug, was performed on 47 patients aged from 6 to 54 years. The minimal internal diameter of DA varied from 3.7 to 11.6 mm. Successful occlusion was achieved in all the cases without major complications. Sustained improvement was observed in both clinical findings and laboratory parameters. No incidence of endocarditis, plug displacement or recanalization was noted during follow-up of 6 to 35 months. It revealed that ductal exploration with the balloon catheter is able to ascertain the actual occlusion diameter of the lesion and the catheter scale plug examination can ensure good matching between DA and the plug so that changing of plugs and ectopic embolisms can be avoided.