The new Occlutech® patent ductus arteriosus occluder: Single centre experience

Abstract

Transcatheter therapy is the first-line treatment for closure of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). A range of different devices have been used. To report our experience using the new Occlutech(®) PDA occluder for closure of PDA. All consecutive patients receiving an Occlutech(®) PDA occluder for closure of PDA from March 2014 to May 2015 were included in the study. Occluders were implanted using a conventional technique. After cardiac catheterization, transthoracic echocardiography was performed sequentially. Residual shunting and procedural and mid-term complications, including embolization, device-induced left pulmonary artery stenosis and aortic coarctation, were systematically assessed and reported. Fifty-six patients (35 females) with a median age of 1 year (range: 29 days to 24 years) were included in the study. PDAs were closed successfully using device number 5/3.5 in 17 patients, 6/4 in 28 patients, 7/5 in four patients, 8/6 in six patients and 10/8 in one patient. Post-implantation angiography showed no residual shunt in 10 patients (17.8%), moderate intraprosthetic shunt in 43 patients (76.8%) and severe shunt in three patients (5.4%). One device embolized in the right pulmonary artery 1hour after successful closure; the device was retrieved surgically after unsuccessful snaring. After a mean follow-up of 10 months (range: 3-17.8 months), no residual shunt or device-related complications were noted. The new Occlutech(®) PDA occluder allows safe and efficient PDA closure, similar to existing devices.