Transcatheter closure of patent ductus arteriosus and ductus in children

Abstract

In normal cardiovascular development, the proximal portions of the sixth pair of embryonic aortic arches persist as the proximal branch pulmonary arteries and the distal portion of the left sixth arch persists as the ductus arteriosus, connecting the main pulmonary trunk with the left dorsal aorta. In full-term infants, postnatal closure of the ductus is effected in two phases: smooth muscle constriction produces ‘‘functional’’ closure of the lumen of the ductus within 18 to 24 hours after birth; and ‘‘anatomical’’ occlusion of the lumen occurs over the next few days or weeks. Over the past two decades, transcatheter occlusion of patent ductus arteriosus has evolved to be the procedure of choice. Several devices have been used to close patent ductus arteriosus in children. Coils are generally used for small PDAs and occluding devices for larger PDAs.