Closure of patent ductus arteriosus with duct occluder device in adult patients: evaluation of the approaches to facilitate the procedure

Abstract

The anatomic changes of the patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in adult patients can complicate its transcatheter occlusion. The aim of the study was to determine procedural approaches to facilitate transcatheter closure of PDA in adult patients using the Amplatzer duct occluder (ADO). In this prospective study, 33 consecutive adult patients with a moderate to large-sized PDA underwent transcatheter closure. Conventional antegrade approach was used in 14 patients, while retrograde wire-guided assisted approach in remaining 18 patients to access the PDA antegrade. If the initial procedure failed, snare-assisted technique was used to pass through the ductus antegradely. For comparative statistics, the Student's t-test, Mann-Whitney U test and Chi-square test were used as appropriate. Thirty-two patients had successful PDA occlusion. PDA ostium could be engaged in 10 of 14 patients by conventional approach, while 17 of remaining 18 patients by retrograde wire-guided assisted approach (p=0.07). PDAs could be passed antegradely using the snare-assisted technique in those five patients in whom the initial procedure failed. The mean size of implanted devices was 3.76 mm larger than the narrowest size of the PDA. Spontaneous embolization occurred in one patient in whom smaller device implanted due to his short ductus. All patients attained complete occlusion and there were no complications encountered during follow-up. The retrograde wire-guided technique is an effective approach and offers an alternative to access the PDA antegradely in adult patients. Larger than recommended size ADO device can be used safely in all adult patients with feasible ductal ampulla and may prevent device migration.