Transcatheter closure of large patent ductus arteriosus (> or = 4 mm) with multiple Gianturco coils: immediate and mid-term results.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the immediate and mid-term results of transcatheter closure of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) > or = 4 mm with multiple Gianturco coils. (Transcatheter closure of large PDAs using the Rashkind occluder or the buttoned device is associated with a 7-38% incidence of residual shunt.)

METHODS

19 patients (7 male, 12 female) underwent an attempt at anterograde transcatheter closure with multiple Gianturco coils of a large PDA at a median age of 3.8 yr (range 2 weeks-34 yr) and median weight of 14 kg (range 2.3-80 kg).

RESULTS

The median PDA diameter at the narrowest segment was 4.3 mm (range 4-7 mm) and the mean (SD) Qp/Qs was 1.9 (0.8). Each patient had left atrial and left ventricular volume overload. A 4F catheter was used to deliver the coils in all patients. There was immediate and complete closure in 16/18; one patient had residual shunt that was closed at a second procedure and the other had spontaneous disappearance of the residual shunt at the six week visit. A short ductus (angiographic type B) in one patient could not be closed. The median number of coils placed at the first attempt to close the ductus was 4 (range 2-6 coils) and the median fluoroscopy time was 40 minutes (range 13-152 minutes). Mild left pulmonary artery stenosis occurred in the two smallest patients. Coil migration to the lung occurred in 3 patients with retrieval of coils in two patients. All procedures but one were done on an outpatient basis. At a median follow up of 1.6 yr (range 2 weeks-2.2 yr) all patients had complete closure with no new complications.

CONCLUSIONS

Anterograde transcatheter closure with multiple Gianturco coils is an effective treatment for most patients with large PDA of diameters up to 7 mm. This technique can be performed in small infants on an outpatient basis without the need for general endotracheal anaesthesia.