New Amplatzer Duct Occluder II for antegrade closure of patent ductus arteriosus

Abstract

Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) was one of the first congenital cardiovascular lesions to be treated by nonsurgical catheter intervention. Since the first publication by Porstmann in 1967, nonsurgical transcatheter closure has gained widespread acceptance. Various devices have been used, including Rashkind PDA occluder, Gianturco coils, detachable coils, CardioSEAL, Sideris occluder and other umbrella devices. Since its first implantation in humans in 1998, the Amplatzer PDA occluder (AGA Medical Corporation, MN, USA) [1, 2] has rapidly superseded the previously popular Rashkind PDA occluder. In contrast to coils, it can also be used in large PDAs [3, 4]. The Amplatzer PDA occluder is a self-expanding device made from 144 Nitinol wires in the form of a round mesh with a central waist and two discs on either side. With the original version of the occluder occlusion was achieved via the retrograde, venous access approach. The new version of the device (Amplatzer Duct Occluder II, AGAMedical Corporation, MN, USA) has been improved to permit antegrade arterial access delivery.