Transcatheter occlusion of a modified Blalock-Taussig shunt using the amplatzer vascular plug with the catheter-snare technique

Percutaneous Modified Blalock-Taussig Shunt Closure in a Patient with Isolated Right Ventricular Hypoplasia

Clinical presentation, course, and treatment for patients with isolated right ventricular (RV) hypoplasia (IRVH) depends on the degree of hypoplasia that is present-this is a spectrum from spontaneous maturation to Fontan circulation over time. An 8-month-old infant presented with IRVH; in the patient, a modified Blalock-Taussig (MBTS) shunt was closed percutaneously after spontaneous RV function recovery. A female newborn was diagnosed with differential cyanosis at birth. The echocardiography showed a hypertrophic RV with a small cavity, a right-left shunt on the atrial septal defect, an almost closed ductus arteriosus (DA), and a small tricuspid valve ring (Z-score-2) with mild regurgitation (pressure gradient 30 mmHg). On the 4th day of life, the patient showed deepened cyanosis and hyperlactatemia was registered. The echocardiography examination revealed a closed DA. Right ventriculography performed on the 5th day of life evidenced the presence of a small hypertrabeculated RV. The pressure in the RV increased. A right-side MBTS was created on the 6th day of life. Further echocardiographic findings indicated a gradual development of the RV and a decrease in RV pressure. MBTS occlusion was performed when the patient was 8 months old. Vital parameters were monitored invasively and noninvasively after the balloon occlusion of MBTS. Percutaneous MBTS occlusion was successfully performed using an Amplatzer vascular plug 2 (AVP2). During the follow-up period, the patient was found to have maintained a normal percutaneous oxyhaemoglobin blood saturation.

Recanalisation of subclavian-pulmonary artery shunt in adult with tetralogy of Fallot

We report the case of a patient diagnosed with extreme tetralogy of Fallot who received subclavian-pulmonary artery shunt at the age of 3 years and underwent corrective surgery at the age of 16 years. The patient developed progressive effort dyspnea and left ventricular dysfunction from the age of 40 years. The exploratory finding of a continuous jugular and left subclavian murmur prompted an echocardiographic study that evidenced a continuous flow in the suprasternal view. CT study confirmed the patency of the surgical subclavian-pulmonary artery shunt, which was percutaneously embolised with the implantation of an Amplatzer plug, with a good final outcome and no residual flow. The patient showed a satisfactory development with clinical improvement, decreased left ventricular volume and enhanced left ventricular function.

Two Cases of Transcatheter Closure of Central Aortopulmonary Shunts: One with an Amplatzer Duct Occluder II and One with an Amplatzer Vascular Plug I

When total correction is not possible in infants who have a cyanotic congenital heart disease, creation of a palliative aortopulmonary shunt is essential. A central aortopulmonary shunt is preferable, because of its technical and hemodynamic advantages. Overcirculation, thrombosis, and stenosis of the shunt are the main postoperative sequelae that necessitate urgent reintervention. Percutaneous transcatheter closure of aortopulmonary shunts can eliminate the need for reoperation and substantially decrease postoperative morbidity and mortality rates. We report our successful transcatheter closures of central aortopulmonary shunts in a 3-month-old infant and a 15-year-old girl, with use of an Amplatzer Duct Occluder II and an Amplatzer Vascular Plug I, respectively. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the transcatheter closure of central aortopulmonary shunts with these 2 devices.

Amplatzer vascular plugs in congenital cardiovascular malformations

BACKGROUND

Amplatzer vascular plugs (AVPs) are devices ideally suited to close medium-to-large vascular communications. There is limited published literature regarding the utility of AVPs in congenital cardiovascular malformations (CCVMs).

AIMS

To describe the use of AVPs in different CCVMs and to evaluate their safety and efficacy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

All patients who required an AVP for the closure of CCVM were included in this retrospective review of our catheterization laboratory data. The efficacy and safety of AVPs are reported.

RESULTS

A total of 39 AVPs were implanted in 31 patients. Thirteen (33%) were AVP type I and 23 (59%) were AVP type II. AVP type III were implanted in two patients and type IV in one patient. The major indications for their use included closure of pulmonary arteriovenous malformation (AVM) (n = 7), aortopulmonary collaterals (n = 7), closure of a patent Blalock-Taussig shunt (n = 5), systemic AVM (n = 5), coronary AVM (n = 4), patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) (n = 3), pulmonary artery aneurysms (n = 3), and venovenous collaterals (n = 2). Deployment of the AVP was done predominantly via the 5 - 7F Judkin's right coronary guide catheter. Overall 92% of the AVPs could be successfully deployed and resulted in occlusion of the target vessel in all cases, within 10 minutes. No procedure-related or access site complication occurred.

CONCLUSIONS

AVPs are versatile, easy to use, and effective devices to occlude the vascular communications in a variety of settings. AVP II is especially useful in the closure of tubular structures with a high flow.

Early experience on peripheral vascular application of the vascular plugs

BACKGROUND

Transcatheter closure of various congenital and acquired vascular malformations with Amplatzer Vascular plugs I and II has been established. Here we present our experience with device closure.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Between October 2006 and August 2012, nine (three males and six females) patients aged between 11 months and 62 years (mean age 19 years) underwent percutaneous device closure with AVP I and II vascular plugs for congenital and acquired arteriovenous malformation and cardiac diverticulum are presented here.

RESULTS

One case of coronary cameral fistula, four cases of pulmonary arteriovenous fistula, one case of large major aortopulmonary collaterals (in tetralogy of Fallot closed before intracardiac repair), one case of congenital cardiac diverticulum, one case of fistula between external carotid artery and internal jugular vein and one case of iatrogenic carotid jugular fistula were successfully closed with AVP I and II plugs. Overall in nine cases, 16 AVP I and II plugs were deployed to occlude feeding vessels and one cardiac diverticulum. The technical success rate was 100%. No major complications were observed.

CONCLUSION

Amplatzer vascular plugs can be used successfully for closure of various congenital and acquired vascular malformations with good result.

Percutaneous closure of a modified Blalock-Taussig shunt using an amplatzer vascular plug

Modified Blalock-Taussig shunts are usually clamped during the successive corrective or palliative surgical procedures carried out to treat underlying congenital heart disease, though at times they may be left permeable for a number of reasons. Subsequently, when this is no longer considered necessary and closure is indicated, the method of choice is percutaneous embolization using various coils or other devices. We report on a series of patients in whom this type of shunt was closed successfully via an arterial approach using a new device: the Amplatzer Vascular Plug. In addition to employing a controlled-release system, this type of plug has the advantage that it can be implanted using low-profile catheters. The patients were 1, 4 and 23 years old, respectively, and no complications were reported. The fluoroscopy time was 10, 11 and 9 minutes, respectively, and patients were followed up for 42 months.