Steerable control of the eustachian valve during transcatheter closure of secundum atrial septal defects

Chiari network for the interventional cardiologist: A hidden enemy at the heart gate - A systematic review of the literature

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to collect and analyze the literature data regarding Chiari network (CN) and other right atrium (RA) remnants comprising the Eustachian and Thebesian valves (EV, ThV) as a potential entrapment site during different percutaneous cardiac procedures (PCP).

METHODS AND RESULTS

A systematic search was conducted using Pubmed and Embase databases following the PRISMA guidelines to obtain available data concerning PCP associated with entrapment of inserted materials within CN-EV-ThV. The final analysis included 41 patients who underwent PCP with reported material entrapment within these RA remnants. The PCP was atrial septal defect (ASD)/patent foramen ovale (PFO) closure, catheter ablation, and pacemaker/defibrillator implantation in 44%, 22%, and 17% of patients, respectively. The entrapped materials were ASD/PFO devices, multipolar electrophysiology catheters, passive-fixation pacing leads, and J-guidewires in about 30%, 20%, 15%, and 10% of patients, respectively. Intraprocedural transthoracic, transoesophageal and intracardiac echocardiography showed sensitivity to reveal these structures of 20%, ∼95%, and 100%, respectively. A percutaneous approach successfully managed 70% of patients, while cardiovascular surgery was required in 20% and three patients died (7.3%).

CONCLUSIONS

CN and other RA remnants may cause entrapment of various devices or catheters during PCP requiring right heart access. The percutaneous approach, guided by intraprocedural imaging, appears safe and effective in managing most patients. Prevention includes recognizing these anatomical structures at baseline cardiac imaging and intraprocedural precautions. Further studies are needed to analyze the actual incidence of this condition, its clinical impact and appropriate management.

Influence of PFO Anatomy on Successful Transcatheter Closure

Patent foramen ovale (PFO) is considered a risk factor for serious clinical syndromes, the most important of which is cryptogenic stroke in the setting of paradoxic embolism. The safety and feasibility of transcatheter PFO closure have been addressed in several studies; this procedure is performed worldwide with excellent results. Variations in the atrial septal configuration and PFO are frequent and have an impact on the technical aspects and success in transcatheter PFO closure. To minimize the rate of complications of percutaneous closure of PFO, patients must be carefully selected on the basis of morphology and location of the interatrial defect.

The “pull–push” technique to deal with a redundant eustachian valve interfering with placement of a PFO occluder

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the role of a new technique to deal with a redundant Eustachian valve (EV) interfering with placement of a patent foramen ovale (PFO) occluder.

BACKGROUND

The EV is a remnant of the embryonic valve of the sinus venosus. In rare occasions, it is large and redundant and it may interfere with catheters and devices used in cardiac catheterization.

METHODS

We have developed a new technique to control the EV in order to avoid interferences with the device for closure of atrial septal defects and PFO's. This technique is called "pull-push" technique and consists in pulling down on the inferior vena cava the redundant EV by using a 6 Fr pigtail catheter while a second operator pushes the right atrial disc out of the long sheath.

RESULTS

Here, we report on two patients with a patent foramen ovale, in whom the EV prevented the right atrial disc of an Amplatzer PFO occluder to be completely flat against the interatrial septum. Finally, we used this technique in one more patient to avoid any interference of a very redundant EV during placement of a Starflex device.

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion. the so called "pull-push" technique is an alternative and easy technique to control the EV in order to avoid interferences with the device for closure of atrial septal defects and PFO's

Patent foramen ovale morphology and impact on percutaneous device closure

We sought to evaluate the effects of atrial septal and patent foramen ovale (PFO) morphology on the efficacy of transcatheter closure. We performed a retrospective analysis of all patients who underwent PFO device closure from January 1997 to January 2002. Forty-seven patients underwent percutaneous closure of a PFO with a median age of 45 years (range, 8-75) and weight of 76 kg (range 28-115). The septal morphology was flat in 33 and aneurysmal in 14 patients. The PFO morphology was a simple flap in 20 and complex in 27 patients. Complex morphologies included long-tunnel PFO (n = 15), coexistent small atrial septal defect (ASD) (n = 5), and aneurysmal septum without a tunnel or ASD (n = 7). Nonstretched PFO diameters were significantly smaller than stretched (4.8 +/- 1.1 mm vs 11.6 +/- 3.8 mm, p < 0.01). Median device size: stretched diameter ratio (DS:SD) was 3.7:1 (range, 2.2-9.1). The DS:SD ratio was significantly higher in patients with complex PFO (mean, 3.9:1 vs 2.6:1; p < 0.05). Device placement was successful in all patients. Five patients required transeptal puncture of the foraminal flap in long-tunnel PFOs. Effective closure on follow-up was achieved in 45 patients (95%). Of the 2 patients with residual shunts, 1 had a complex PFO and the other a simple PFO. Two patients (5%) experienced recurrent neurologic symptoms after device closure despite having no residual shunt by echocardiography. Complex PFO did not increase risk of residual shunt or recurrent neurologic symptoms after device closure.

Closure of secundum atrial septal defects with the Amplatzer septal occluder device: techniques and problems

Percutaneous transvenous closure of atrial septal defects (ASDs) has become feasible in recent years, as later-generation devices have largely overcome initial difficulties in device deployment and complication rates. The Amplatzer septal occluder (ASO) is one such device that we have used extensively and is, in our opinion, the most versatile and practical to use. It is capable of closing defects up to 40 mm in diameter via a relatively low-profile delivery sheath. More importantly, the ASO may be easily withdrawn into the sheath after deployment but prior to release, which is essential in safely closing difficult defects where successful positioning on the initial deployment is not guaranteed. In this article based on our experience, review of the literature, and communications with other operators, we describe the various problems encountered in closing atrial septal defects and make suggestions as to the best way of overcoming these difficulties.

Persistent redundant Eustachian valve interfering with Amplatzer PFO occluder placement: anatomico-clinical and technical implications

A 28-year-old man with patent foramen ovale and a prominent Eustachian valve with a history of transient ischemic attack underwent transcatheter closure using Amplatzer patent foramen ovale occluder. During deployment, some of the prominent valve tissue was entrapped on the delivery cable and a piece of the valve was extracted unintentionally. Anatomico-clinical and technical implications are discussed.

Persistence of the eustachian valve in secundum atrial septal defects: possible implications for cerebral embolism and transcatheter closure procedures

Transcatheter closure of large secundum atrial septal defects is now accepted clinical practice. With the introduction of easily applicable closure devices the indications for this procedure have been expanded to include the closure of patent foramen ovale after cerebral stroke of unknown origin. In some of these patients a persistent eustachian valve is present. The clinical relevance of this finding is still unclear. A 36 year old patient with a brainstem stroke of unknown origin and a secundum atrial septal defect in combination with a persisting prominent eustachian valve is reported. The potential role of the eustachian valve in the genesis of the stroke and the difficulties during transcatheter closure of the defect because of the persisting valve are discussed.

Persistence of the eustachian valve in secundum atrial septal defects: possible implications for cerebral embolism and transcatheter closure procedures

Transcatheter closure of large secundum atrial septal defects is now accepted clinical practice. With the introduction of easily applicable closure devices the indications for this procedure have been expanded to include the closure of patent foramen ovale after cerebral stroke of unknown origin. In some of these patients a persistent eustachian valve is present. The clinical relevance of this finding is still unclear. A 36 year old patient with a brainstem stroke of unknown origin and a secundum atrial septal defect in combination with a persisting prominent eustachian valve is reported. The potential role of the eustachian valve in the genesis of the stroke and the difficulties during transcatheter closure of the defect because of the persisting valve are discussed.