PERCUTANEOUS CLOSURE OF PATENT FORAMEN OVALE AFTER A FAILED DEVICE–CLOSURE ATTEMPT: A HIGH–VOLUME SINGLE CENTRE EXPERIENCE

Abstract

Abstract Introduction Persistence of patent foramen ovale (PFO) has been associated with cryptogenic stroke due to a paradoxical systemic embolism. In these cases, a percutaneous closure allows to decrease the risk of redo cerebral ischemic events. However, the presence of a complex anatomy might prevent a correct device–deployment with a high–risk o residual shunt and/or device embolization. We describe our experience about alternative technique after a failed device closure attempt. Methods We reviewed six cases wherein the device was not able to close effectively the PFO. In these cases, alternative techniques and skills were adopted to close the PFO. Results From 2021 to 2023, 194 PFO were closed in the congenital catheterization laboratory of Monaldi Hospital (Naples). In the most of cases (188/194 pts, 96.9%) an effective device closure was obtained. However, in 6 cases (3.1%) the device failed to have a PFO closure. In these 6 patients, the PFO anatomy was characterized by: a severe hypertrophy of the septum secundum (2 cases, 33%), an aneurysmatic interatrial septum (3 cases, 50%), a long stiff tunnel (6 cases, 100%). In three cases a deviceless suture–mediated system (NoblestichTM) was effective to achieve a complete PFO closure; whereas, in two cases a combined approach (suture–mediated system followed by a device deployment) allowed to achieve a complete PFO closure. In a patient with Ebstein anomaly and significant cyanosis due to right–to–left PFO shunt, a partial PFO closure (with mild residual right–to–left shunt) was obtained after NoblestichTM deployment. In this setting, the partial PFO closure was effective to achieve a significant improvement of the patient’s arterial saturation and the procedure stopped without to complete the PFO closure with a device. Conclusion Trans–catheter device closure is often effective to achieve a complete PFO closure. However, in some circumstances, the device was unable to have an appropriate PFO closure. A suture–mediated system or a combined approach (suture–mediated system with concomitant device deployment) are effective to achieve the PFO closure in these complex scenarios.