Analysis of the therapeutic effect of transesophageal echocardiography-guided percutaneous device closure of atrial septal defects via the right internal jugular vein in children

Trans-jugular transcutaneous closure of atrial septal defects with an adjustable curved sheath under echocardiography guidance

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES

Traditional transcatheter closure of atrial septal defect (ASD) via the femoral vein carries risk of radiation damage. Transcutaneous closure of ASD under echocardiography guidance avoids radiation exposure and can be gradually applied. An alternative is to transcutaneous closure of ASD trans-jugular with an adjustable curved sheath under echocardiography guidance.

METHODS

We retrospectively studied all cases of trans-jugular transcutaneous closure of ASD with an adjustable curved sheath under echocardiography guidance in the Heart Center of Henan Province People's Hospital between 2016 and December 2022.

RESULTS

A total of 156 patients were included, 74 males and 82 females. Mean age was 6.9 ± 7.4 years and weight 23.7 ± 14.6 kg. Mean sizes of the ASD and occluder were (9.7 ± 4.7) mm and (14.1 ± 5.7) mm. The mean operation time was (49.6 ± 29.2) min. No complications such as atrioventricular block, reoperation, or pericardial effusion occurred. There are 3 patients had a residual shunt. All patients were followed-up for (38.7 ± 11.0) months. The three patients with residual shunt had self-closed at the 3-6-12 months follow-up. There was no complication at follow-up.

CONCLUSION

Trans-jugular transcutaneous closure of ASD with adjustable curved sheath under echocardiography guidance is safe, effective and minimally invasive.

Percutaneous transluminal forceps biopsy with an adjustable curved sheath for obstructive jaundice

PURPOSE

To evaluate the feasibility and safety of percutaneous transluminal forceps biopsy (PTFB) with an adjustable curved sheath in patients with obstructive jaundice.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Forty-two patients who underwent PTFB with an adjustable curved sheath were analyzed retrospectively. Sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value (NPV), positive predictive value (PPV) and accuracy were calculated for all populations and in different situations. Technical success and safety were evaluated.

RESULTS

The technical success rate was 100%. Thirty-five of 42 cases were diagnosed malignant diseases, the sensitivity of PTFB with an adjustable curved sheath was 74.29% (26/35), the specificity was 100%, the positive predictive value was 100%, the negative predictive value was 43.75% (7/16), and the accuracy rate was 78.57% (33/42). There was a better sensitivity for bile duct malignancies when compared with non-bile duct malignancies (p = 0.012). No statistical difference was found in the sensitivity of the upper part of the biliary tree and the lower part of the biliary tree, and none in the sensitivity of different approaches (left vs. right). The complication rate was 11.90%, and no serious complications were observed.

CONCLUSIONS

PTFB with an adjustable curved sheath is an effective and safe technique, without being limited by approaches and obstruction sites.

Off-label use limitation of the Super Arrow-Flex® sheath introducer in congenital heart disease interventions

Many interventionists are infatuated by the recent resurgence of the coilwire design with the Super Arrow-Flex® sheath (Teleflex, Inc., NC, United States of America). This exclusive sheath is a highly flexible, durable, conduit intended for use in diagnostic and interventional procedures with several advantages and maximum effectiveness in challenging cases. We report failure to easily advance memory shape occluders through Super Arrow-Flex® sheaths larger than the recommended implant French size. We detail the technical reasons behind this non-previously reported drawback and describe benchside tests as possible solutions.

Clinical evaluation of percutaneous and intra-operative device closure of atrial septal defects under transesophageal echocardiographic guidance: one center experience and mid-term follow-up

OBJECTIVE

The percutaneous closure of a single secundum atrial septal defect (ASD) under transesophageal echocardiography guidance as an accepted alternative to the transcatheter closure with fluoroscopy has been proven. However, the technique has not been routinely used. This study was to present and share our experience in comparing the clinical outcomes of the percutaneous and intra-operative device closure (IODC) of atrial septal defects without fluoroscopy.

METHODS

From January 2013 to December 2016, 103 patients with maximum diameters of ASD of less than 30 mm were allocated to groups taking either the percutaneous closure of atrial septal defects approach (PASD group, n = 53) or the intra-operative device closure approach (IODC Group, n = 50). They were operated on using the minimally invasive Amplatzer duct occluder under the guidance of transesophageal echocardiography without cardiopulmonary bypass. Echocardiography was performed to obtain an en face view of the ASD and important surrounding structures before the operation. Patient characteristics, perioperative data, and follow-up data were retrospectively documented and analyzed.

RESULTS

Patient characteristics were comparable between the two groups. These were no differences in the maximum diameters of defects and the size of the occluders in each group (16.4 ± 5.3 mm vs16.4 ± 5.2 mm, P = 0.98; 22.4 ± 5.8 mm vs 21.3 ± 6.6 mm, P = 0.38). Intracardiac manipulation time was 20.72 ± 7.70 min in the PASD group and 6.01 ± 1.03 min in the IODC group (P < 0.001). The procedure time was 28.70 ± 10.41 min in the PASD group and 39.13 ± 6.03 min in the IODC group (P < 0.001). The successful closure defect was 100% in both groups when the maximum diameter of defect less than 25 mm. Four patients the PASD groups with maximum diameters between 25 mm and 30 mm were transferred to the IOCD group after unsuccessful device implantations. The total occlusion rate was 82% immediately after deployment, 98% at 3 months, and 100% at 6 months. No cardiac-related complications occurred during the follow-up period of between 3 to 65 months (mean 21.4 ± 9.8 months).

CONCLUSIONS

Percutaneous device closures of Secundum atrial septal defects showed safety and high efficiency in patients under guidance by transesophageal echocardiography when compared with intra-operative device closures and are especially suited for women and children.