Transthoracic Echocardiographic Guidance Research Articles

Transcatheter Closure of Atrial Septal Defects using the GORE(®) Septal Occluder in Children Less Than 10 kg of Body Weight.

The GORE(®) Septal Occluder (GSO) is a well-evaluated device for interventional ASD closure with closure rates comparable to the Amplatzer(®) Septal Occluder (ASO), but there are no published reports of its use in small children weighing less than 10 kg. This may be due to the necessity of a large-sized introducing sheath of at least 10 Fr and therefore the assumed risk of complications in vascular access. The GSO is an alternative option for interventional ASD closure in children weighing less than 10 kg. Fourteen infants and children with a median body weight 8900 g (range 6350-9650 g) underwent successful ASD closure using the GSO. The closure was performed under fluoroscopic and transthoracic echocardiographic guidance. Postprocedure, the vessels passed by the occluder and delivery catheter were examined by duplex sonography. The median ASD diameter was 11 mm (5-17 mm), and the median GSO size was 22.5 mm (15-30 mm), whereas the median ASO left disc size that would have been recommended was 25 mm (17-31 mm). All ASDs were successfully closed. During a median follow-up of 1.57 years (range 0.5-4.2), no complications like erosion, embolization, arrhythmias, or vascular injuries occurred. Although using a 10-Fr introducer sheath, no vascular complications were detected. Our data suggest that the small usable size as well as the soft and flexible design of the device allows successful use of the GSO in young children.

Abstract 10972: Transthoracic Echocardiography-guided Percutaneous Patent Ductus Arteriosus Occlusion: A New Strategy For Interventional Treatment

Objectives: This prospective single center study investigated the safety and efficacy of percutaneous patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) occlusion using the Amplatzer Duct Occluder II (ADO II) under only guidance of transthoracic echocardiography, which avoids the radiation and contrast agents of traditional PDA occlusion. Methods: From June 2013 to February 2015, 54 consecutive PDA patients (age, 4.6 ± 2.9 years; weight, 18.5 ± 7.5 kg; PDA narrowest diameter, 3.3 ± 1.1 mm) underwent transthoracic echocardiography guided PDA occlusion through the femoral artery. Outpatient follow-up was conducted at 1, 3, and 6 months, and yearly. Results: Echocardiography-guided percutaneous PDA occlusion was successfully performed in 53 patients. The procedure was converted to minimally invasive transthoracic occlusion in one patient due to failure of delivery catheter passage through tortuous PDA. Mean procedure duration was 25.5 ± 7.4 minutes; ADO II diameter averaged 4.7 ± 0.9 mm; 8 cases showed traces of residual shunt immediately after operation; and mean hospital stay was 3.4 ± 0.7 days. There was no occluder migration, hemolysis or pericardial effusion at mean 10.2±4.9 months follow-up. Conclusions: Percutaneous PDA occlusion under only guidance of transthoracic echocardiography appears safe and effective while avoiding radiation and contrast agent use. Legends: A) A suprasternal view showed the tip of pigtail catheter (arrow) faced the aortic end of the PDA. B) The left parasternal long axis view of the pulmonary artery showed that the guide wire (arrow) was located within the main pulmonary artery. C) The release of the occluder at the pulmonary side (arrow). D) The occluder was completely released (arrows point to each side of the occluder). PDA, patent ductus arteriosus; DAO, descending aorta; PA, pulmonary artery; AO, ascending aorta.

Efficacy and Safety of Transthoracic Echocardiography Alone in Transcatheter Closure of Secundum-Type Atrial Septal Defects in Adults.

On-site transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) to guide the transcutaneous closure of secundum-type atrial septal defects (ASDs) in the catheterization laboratory remains unclear, especially in adults. Between 2005 and 2012, a total of 82 adults underwent transcutaneous closure of ASDs. The initial 15 cases underwent the procedure with both on-site transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) and TTE monitoring. Since January 2008, a total of 67 patients underwent on-site TTE alone to guide the procedure. Among the 82 adult patients who underwent a transcutaneous closure of the secundum-type ASD procedure, all had successful closure of the defects, and no periprocedural adverse complications occurred. No statistical significance was observed in the successful complete shunt closure rate between the TEE plus TTE and TTE groups during sequential follow-up (postprocedure 24 hour [87% vs. 92%],1 month [93% vs. 95%], 3 month [93% vs. 97%], and 12 month [93% vs. 97%], P > 0.05, respectively) nor was a significant difference observed between the two groups, including decreased right ventricular dimension (29.5 ± 3.3 vs. 32.0 ± 4.9 mm, 26.5 ± 3.0 vs. 28.7 ± 4.6 mm, 26.2 ± 3.1 vs. 28.2 ± 4.8 mm, and 25.6 ± 2.8 vs. 27.7 ± 4.7 mm, P > 0.05, respectively) or increased left ventricular end-diastolic dimension (41.1 ± 2.0 vs. 42.6 ± 3.0 mm, 44.3 ± 2.7 vs. 45.5 ± 3.1 mm, 44.2 ± 2.8 vs. 45.4 ± 3.1 mm, 44.9 ± 2.7 vs. 45.8 ± 2.6 mm, P > 0.05, respectively) before the procedure, and at the 3-, 6-, and 12-month follow-up evaluations. This study showed that TTE guidance alone may be considered efficacious and safe as TEE during a transcutaneous ASD occlusion procedure in select adults.

Comparison between Transthoracic and Transesophageal Echo Cardiographic Guidance for Percutaneous Closure of Secundum Atrial Septal Defects in Children and Adults: A Single Centre Study-425 Cases

Comparison between Transthoracic and Transesophageal Echo Cardiographic Guidance for Percutaneous Closure of Secundum Atrial Septal Defects in Children and Adults: A Single Centre Study-425 Cases

Anaesthetic management for balloon dilation of cor triatriatum dexter in a dog

A three-month-old female Rottweiler puppy was referred for intravascular correction of a previously identified cor triatriatum dexter. Echocardiography confirmed the presence of a hyperechoic membrane that divided the right atrium into a cranial and caudal chamber. A foramen in this membrane allowed the blood to flow from the caudal to the cranial chamber. Balloon dilation of the defect under transthoracic echocardiographic guidance was scheduled for the following day. The dog was premedicated with 0.5 μg/kg sufentanil and 0.2 mg/kg midazolam administered intravenously. General anaesthesia was induced with 2 mg/kg propofol and maintained with inhaled isoflurane in oxygen; at the same time, a constant rate infusion of 0.5 μg/kg/h sufentanil was administered by means of an infusion pump. Uneventful ventricular and supraventricular tachyarrhythmias developed during the placement of catheters and balloon dilation. At the end of procedure, when the guide wire and balloon catheter were removed, normal sinus rhythm was observed. To the authors’ knowledge, no previous reports have described the anaesthetic management of a balloon dilation procedure for cor triatriatum dexter in dogs.

Comparison between Transthoracic and Transesophageal Echo Cardiographic Guidance for Percutaneous Closure of Secundum Atrial Septal Defects in Children and Adults: A Single Centre Study-425 Cases

Comparison between Transthoracic and Transesophageal Echo Cardiographic Guidance for Percutaneous Closure of Secundum Atrial Septal Defects in Children and Adults: A Single Centre Study-425 Cases

Transcatheter closure of large atrial septal defects: feasibility and safety in a large adult and pediatric population.

Data are needed on the safety and efficacy of device closure of large atrial septal defects. Between 1998 and 2013, 336 patients (161 children <15 years) with large, isolated, secundum atrial septal defects (balloon-stretched diameter ≥34 mm in adults or echocardiographic diameter >15 mm/m(2) in children) were managed using the Amplatzer device, at the Marie Lannelongue Hospital. Transthoracic echocardiographic guidance was used starting in 2005 (n=219; 65.2%). Balloon-stretched diameter was >40 mm in 36 adults; mean values were 37.6±3.3 mm in other adults and 26.3±6.3 mm/m(2) in children. Amplatzer closure was successful in 311 (92.6%; 95% confidence interval, 89%-95%) patients. Superior and posterior rim deficiencies were more common in failed than in successful procedures (superior, 24.0% versus 4.8%; P=0.002; and posterior, 32.0% versus 4.2%; P<0.001). Device migration occurred in 4 adults (2 cases each of surgical and transcatheter retrieval); in the 21 remaining failures, the device was unreleased and withdrawn. After a median follow-up of 10.0 years (2.5-17 years), all patients were alive with no history of late complications. Closure of large atrial septal defects using the Amplatzer device is safe and effective in both adults and children. Superior and posterior rim deficiencies are associated with procedural failure. Closure can be performed under transthoracic echocardiographic guidance in experienced centers. Early device migration is rare and can be safely managed by device extraction. Long-term follow-up showed no deaths or major late complications in our population of 311 patients.

Pulmonary valvotomy with echocardiographic guidance in neonates with pulmonary atresia and intact ventricular septum.

Percutaneous transcatheter valvotomy of the atretic pulmonary valve (PV) carries a risk of perforation of the right ventricle (RV) and requires standby of the cardiac surgical team for potential emergent cardiac management. The objective of this study was to introduce a successful and safe transcatheter wire perforation of the atretic PV using echocardiographic guidance in neonates with pulmonary atresia and an intact ventricular septum. In addition to fluoroscopic guidance, echocardiography was used throughout the procedure. For positioning the Judkins right (JR) catheter at the point of 'tenting' indicating center of the PV, the morphology and position of the PV were confirmed using a left-tilted parasternal long axis view and a slight counterclockwise-rotated parasternal short axis view. After the JR catheter was positioned at the point of tenting of the atretic PV, the stiff end of the 0.014 mm PTCA wire was advanced through the PV toward the main pulmonary artery using echocardiographic guidance. During the first portion of the procedure, accurate perforation using echocardiographic imaging was confirmed. After then, pulmonary valvuloplasty with increasingly larger balloons, beginning with an initial 2.5 × 20 mm(2) PTCA balloon and finishing with a final 8 × 20 mm(2) PTA balloon was performed. In all patients, successful valve perforation and balloon valvuloplasty were achieved. There were no significant cardiac complications, including perforation of the RV. Pulmonary valvotomy using transthoracic echocardiographic guidance can reduce the risk of perforation of the RV and be more successful compared with that using only fluoroscopic guidance.

Transthoracic echocardiography as an alternative major guidance to angiography during transcatheter closure of patent ductus arteriosus: technical feasibility and clinical relevance.

The conventional transcatheter closure of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) requires femoral artery puncture and angiography for duct anatomic and shunting estimation. If such estimation can be replaced by transthoracic echocardiography (TTE), the procedure will be further simplified, with fewer invasions. This study aimed to examine whether TTE can serve as an alternative to aorta angiography and as a major guidance for transcatheter duct closure. The study enrolled 298 consecutive patients (71 males and 227 females) with PDA. In the study, TTE with combined two-dimensional echocardiography (2DE) imaging and color-coded flow imaging (CDFI) was performed to measure the minimal shunting width (MSW) as the estimated minimal duct size for selection of an Amplatzer duct occluder (ADO) and to monitor the transcatheter duct closure intraprocedurally. The MSW was validated against the duct-stretched diameter (SDD), against the minimal waist diameter of the conical part of a released occluder measured by X-ray spot picture after successful duct closure (SDC), and against the size of the finally used ADO (SADO). Good correlation was found between MSW and SDD [SDD (mm) = 1.31 MSW; r = 0.89; p < 0.01] and between MSW and SADO [SADO (mm) = 1.71 MSW; r = 0.88; p < 0.01]. Of 296 patients who received occlusion using MSW as the reference for selection of the occluder, SDC was attained in 288 (97.3%), 5 (1.7%), and 2 (0.7%) patients, respectively, at the first, second (1 ADO replacement), and third (2 ADO replacements) occluding attempt. Acute occluder dislodgement occurred in one patient (0.3%). At the 12-month follow-up assessment, no major complications were found, and the total immediate or 12-month SDC was 99.7%. Echocardiography as an alternative major guidance to angiography for transcatheter duct closure is technically feasible, and TTE guidance can further simplify the procedure, with fewer invasions and potential complications.

Transcatheter closure of atrial septal defect under the guidance of two-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography

Objective To explore the feasibility of transcatheter closure of atrial septal defect (ASD) under the guidance of two-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography (2D-TTE).Methods The study involved 40 patients diagnosed as ASD by TTE.The mean age of the patients was (7.25 ± 3.96)years,and the mean weights was (22.32 ± 8.30)kg.The mean diameters of ASD was (11.37 ± 3.61)mm.The patients underwent local or basal anesthesia.The transcatheter closure of ASD were performed under the guidance of 2D-TTE.The patients underwent follow-up echocardiography at one and three months after surgery.Results Closure devices were successfully implanted in 37 patients under 2D-TTE guidance.The procedure was simply and safe.In 3 patients,the procedure was monitored by transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) after tracheal intubation,instead of 2D-TTE,because the 2D-TTE images were not clear.During the followup,no severe complication such as valvular injury,pericardial effusion,residual shunt,and peripheral vascular injury occurred.Conclusions Transcatheter closure of ASD under 2D-TTE guidance provides a feasibility method which not only overcome the damage of radiation,but also avoided pains and risks of TEE.The procedure has a broad clinic prospects. Key words: Echocardiography; Atrial septal defect; Transcatheter closure

Transesophageal echocardiography as the sole guidance for occlusion of patent ductus arteriosus using a canine ductal occluder in dogs.

BackgroundTranscatheter occlusion of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is usually performed by fluoroscopy alone or together with transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) guidance has been used for deployment of Amplatz Canine Ductal Occluder (ACDO), but sometimes is limited by suboptimal acoustic windows. Transesophageal echocardiography can overcome such issues and provides higher image resolution at the level of the great vessels.ObjectivesTo determine if TEE without fluoroscopy could be used to successfully perform ductal occlusion for the treatment of PDA in dogs.AnimalsTwenty client‐owned dogs with PDA.MethodsA prospective consecutive case series of PDA occlusion was performed using only TEE guidance. Dogs were positioned in right lateral recumbency and the TEE probe was positioned to visualize the descending aorta, PDA, and pulmonary artery. The guide wire, long introducer sheath, and ACDO were imaged by TEE to direct deployment.ResultsDuctal occlusion was performed successfully without need for fluoroscopy and without complications in 19 dogs. One dog required a second larger ACDO because of embolization of the first device 18 hours after positioning.Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceWe have demonstrated that TEE monitoring without concurrent fluoroscopy can guide each step of transcatheter ACDO embolization thereby providing an alternate method of visualization for this procedure. Use of TEE alone can reduce radiation exposure or is an option when fluoroscopy is not available, and, therefore, should be evaluated in a larger case series to better assess procedural failure rates.

Transthoracic echocardiographic guidance for obtaining an optimal insertion length of internal jugular venous catheters in infants.

There are multiple methods of determining the optimal position of central venous catheter (CVC) tips. The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility of transthoracic echocardiography (TTE), and compare TTE and height-based method for correct positioning of CVCs in infants undergoing cardiac surgery. Ultrasonography-guided central venous catheterization was performed via the right internal jugular vein. Longitudinal images of the right atrium and superior vena cava were obtained using TTE. The catheter tip was located 10mm above the crista terminalis. If the catheter tip was not clearly visualized, the probe was rotated to obtain transverse images and the CVC tip was positioned at the level of the pulmonary artery bifurcation. The mean distance from the catheter tip to the level of the carina was compared with that calculated using a height-based formula. Among 106 cases, positioning of the CVC tip under TTE guidance failed in four patients; thus, the success rate was 96.2%. The mean distance from the CVC tip to the level of the carina was different for positioning using the TTE method (-3.8±8.2mm; 95% confidence interval, -5.5 to -2.2mm) and that using the height-based formula (6.1±9.6mm; 95% CI, 4.2 to 8.0mm; P=0.001). The distance was consistent regardless of the height when the insertion length was determined using TTE (r=-0.048, P>0.05). Transthoracic echocardiography is a practical method for the correct placement of the CVC tip with less variability compared to the height-based method.

ABSTRACT 570

Background and aims: Cardiac tamponade is a rare complication of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) especially in the pediatric population as an initial presentation. We report a thirteen years old young girl who was admitted to emergency department with severe chest pain, and generalized edema, because of severe cardiac tamponade and plevral effusion, later diagnosed as SLE. Aims: Cardiac tamponade is a rare and emergency complication of SLE especially in the pediatric population as an initial presentation. SLE should keep in mind in differencial diagnosis of cardiac tamponade. Methods: She was succesfully treated with pulse methylprednisone and cyclophosphamide medication together with percutane pig tail catheter placement on pericardium rather than surgery. For the percutaneous catheterisation, we advanced into the pericardium by subxiphoid approach a 0.035 inch guide wire through a 7f. pig-tail catheter was advanced to the parietal pericardium with transthoracic echocardiographic guidance and fluid drainage was achieved. This approach had been prevent the recurrent pericardiosythesis and without need of pericardial window by surgerical procedure. Results: Pulse metylprednisolon (1gr/kg/dose) was given in two days and cyclofosfamide was given 500mg/m2 weekly because of life treathing diagnosis of pericardial effussion. The child responded well to treatment and thus the repeated chest X-ray picture was improved, with echocardiographic examination showing a minimal amount of pericardial fluid. She was discharged from PICU on fifth day of hospitalisation. Conclusions: In conclusion, SLE associated cardiac tamponade is a rare initial cardiac manifestation of SLE especially in pediatric patients. It should immediately treated with percutane pig tail catheter placement on pericardium, pulse methylprednisone and cyclophosphamide medication together.

Do we need a femoral artery route for transvenous PDA closure in children with ADO-I?

Objective:The standard procedure in percutaneous closure of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) with Amplatzer duct occluder-I (ADO-I) is transvenous closure guided by aortic access through femoral artery. The current study aims to compare the procedures for PDA closure with ADO-I: only transvenous access with the standard procedure.Methods:This study was designed retrospectively and 101 pediatric patients were included. PDA closure was done by only femoral venous access in 19 of them (group 1), arterial and venous access used in 92 patients (group 2) between 2004 to 2012 years. The position of the device and residual shunt in group1 was evaluated by the guidance of the aortogram obtained during the return phase of the pulmonary artery injection and guidance of transthoracic echocardiography. Shapiro-Wilk’s test, Mann-Whitney U, chi-squared tests were used for statistical comparison.Results:The procedure was successful in 18 (95%) patients in group 1 and 90 (98%) patients in group 2. Complications including the pulmonary artery embolization (n=1), protrusion to pulmonary artery (n=1), inguinal hematoma (n=3), bleeding (n=2) were only detected in group 2. In other words, while complications were observed in 7 (7.2%) patients in group 2, no minor/major complication was observed in group 1. Complete closure in group 1 was: in catheterization room 14 (77.8%), at 24th hour in 2 (11.1%), at first month in 2 (11.1%). Complete closure in group 2 was: 66 (73.4%) patients in the catheterization room, 21 (23.3%) at 24th hour, 3 (3.3%) at first month, complete closure occurred at the end of first month.Conclusion:In percutaneouse PDA closure via ADO-I, this technique can be a choice for patients whose femoral artery could not be accessed, or access is impossible/contraindicated. But for the reliability and validity of this method, randomized multicenter clinical studies are necessary.

An Unusual Cause of Cardiac Tamponade during Cardiac Catheterization Study

Introduction. Catheter-based diagnostic and therapeutic procedures are rapidly advancing. However, catheter related complications sometimes become life threatening. Cardiac tamponade is a rare but serious complication of this procedure. We have summarized one cardiac tamponade pejoration due to secondary coronary vessels laceration by the implanted pericardial drainage. Case report. A 4-year-old baby having Tetralogy of Fallot was posted for diagnostic catheterization study. Patient was induced with sevoflurane and spontaneous respiration was maintained. After catheter insertion to RV, dye was injected through the catheter which rapidly spread into the pericardial cavity indicating right ventricle perforation. Immediately, blood was aspirated under transthoracic echocardiographic guidance and hemodynamics started improving. For the provision of quick access to aspirate further collection, an intrapericardial sheath was inserted after multiple attempts. Patient's condition started deteriorating again. TTE revealed again some collection and it was increasing gradually. On exploration, it was found that there was continuous bleeding from a lacerated epicardial vessel which contributed to the pericardial collection leading to further tamponade effect. This second iatrogenic injury complicated the management of the first iatrogenic cardiac perforation and, thereby, created a life-threatening situation which needed immediate surgical exploration. Discussion. Usual cause of tamponade after right ventricular perforation is bleeding from the RV, but in our case the second tamponade was not due to bleeding from the RV, but was rather from new laceration injury of epicardial vessels which was remained undiagnosed till exploration.

English

Objective: This study is to evaluate the feasibility and safety of intracardiac radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) of the atrioventricular node (AVN) and pacemaker implantation using transthoracic echocardiography. Methods: Eleven patients ‐ six males and five females (mean age 66 years) ‐ with persistent or permanent atrial fibrillation/atrial flutter received RFCA of AVN and VVI pacemaker implantation (paces and senses the ventricle and is inhibited if it senses ventricular activity). Under transthoracic echocardiography, the electrode catheters were positioned intracardiac, and target ablation was performed, with the permanent pacemaking catheter in the left subclavian vein and the ablation catheter in the right femoral vein. The multi-view imaging and dynamic observation applied during the stable AV dissociation were successful. Results: Atrioventricular node ablation and permanent pacemaker implantation in 11 patients were completed successfully without X-ray exposure. The operation success rate was 100%. All patients recovered well within the follow-up period. Conclusions: Radiofrequency catheter ablation of AVN and VVI pacemaker implantation under transthoracic echocardiography guidance is a safe, easy and feasible approach. This procedure could be an important supplemental measure to catheter ablation of arrhythmia under routine X-ray fluoroscopy.

Transcatheter Interatrial Septal Defect Closure in a Large Cohort: Midterm Follow-up Results

We evaluated immediate and midterm results of transcatheter closure of atrial septal defects (ASDs) and patent foramen ovale (PFO) using various closure devices. The study included four hundred fourteen patients (one hundred eighty-two men, two hundred thirty-two women; mean age 39 ± 12.3 years; range 17-67 years) who underwent transcatheter closure of secundum ASD (n = 193) or PFO (n = 221). All the patients were evaluated by transthoracic echocardiography and transesophageal echocardiography before the procedure. Transcatheter closure was performed by using Amplatzer (n = 184), Occlutech Figulla (n = 209), or BioSTAR (n = 21) devices. Closure of ASDs was performed under general anesthesia with transesophageal echocardiography guidance, and closure of PFOs was performed under local anesthesia with transthoracic echocardiography guidance. Follow-up controls were at 1, 6, and 12 months and annually thereafter. The median follow-up periods of ASD and PFO patients were 43 and 30 months. The mean device size was 19.3 ± 6.2 mm for ASD patients and 24.6 ± 2.6 mm for PFO patients. The mean procedural and fluoroscopy times were 22.3 ± 4.7 and 4.1 ± 1.9 minutes for ASD closure and 12.4 ± 3.2 and 3.1 ± 1.2 minutes for PFO closure, respectively. Procedural device embolization occurred in only two patients (0.48%). During follow-up, recurrent embolic events occurred in four patients (1.8%) after PFO closure, and no residual shunts were seen after ASD closure. Device thrombosis developed in two ASD patients during the procedure and in one PFO patient at 12th month of the follow-up (0.72%). Transcatheter closure of PFOs and secundum-type ASDs using the Amplatzer, Occlutech Figulla, and BioSTAR devices is an efficacious and safe therapeutic option.

Minimally invasive perventricular device closure of ventricular septal defect in infants under transthoracic echocardiograhic guidance: feasibility and comparison with transesophageal echocardiography

BackgroundA hybrid approach to minimally invasive perventricular closure of VSD in infants is safe and effective, and has been performed under guidance of transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). We applied transthoracic echocardiographic (TTE) guidance to this hybrid approach, and compare results guided by TTE with those by TEE.MethodsFrom January 2011 to January 2012, 71 infants with VSD were enrolled to undergo a minimally invasive device closure. After evaluation of VSD by TTE, either TEE or TTE was used to guide the minimally invasive device closure. 30 patients had TEE guidance, and 41 patients had TTE. All patients were followed for 3 months after the operation.ResultsThe TEE group had a success rate of 93.3% (28/30) for device implantation, compared with 92.7% (38/41) in the TTE group. Two patients in the TEE group turned to surgical closure, one for involvement of the inlet area of VSD demonstrated by TEE, another for moderate aortic regurgitation after device implantation. Two patients in the TTE group also transferred to surgical closure, one for residual shunt, another for failure of the floppy wire across the defect. In addition, one patient in the TTE group experienced dropout of the occluder one day postoperatively. At 3-month follow-up, one patient had mild aortic regurgitation in the TEE group and in two patients in the TTE group. There were no episodes of cardiac block, thromboembolism, or device displacement in either group.ConclusionsTTE-guided VSD closure is feasible in infants, with results similar to those of TEE guidance, although caution is advisable.

OP-358 TRANSTHORACIC ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY GUIDANCE DURING PERCUTANEOUS CLOSURE OF PATENT FORAMEN OVALE

Background: Percutaneous closure of PFO has been increasingly performed for several indications; mostly due to cryptogenic stroke. We aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of transthoracic echocardiographic (TTE) guidance during percutaneous closure of PFO. Methods: Between 2005-2012, 188 patients (91 males; age 40.1±10.3 y) underwent transcatheter PFO closure. In all patients transesophageal echocardiography performed subsequently to diagnose, assess the size and evaluate for suitability of the defect for percutaneous closure. During the procedure fluoroscopy and TTE were used for guidance.

Transthoracic Real Time Three‐Dimensional Echocardiography in Impella Placement

A 33-year-old patient with nonischemic cardiomyopathy presented with cardiogenic shock requiring percutaneous left ventricular assist device placement despite inotropic support. Under transthoracic two-dimensional echocardiographic guidance, an Impella 2.5 L heart pump was placed. The inflow catheter was distal to the aortic valve, however patient remained in shock. Real time three-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography showed the inflow catheter imbedded into the papillary muscle causing inlet occlusion. By cropping 3D data set in multiple planes, a better spatial visualization of the inflow catheter and its distance from the aortic valve was easily obtained and the device was adjusted.