Intravascular ultrasonography-guided measurement and transcatheter closure of highly calcified patent ductus arteriosus in an older adult

In older adults with patent ductus arteriosus, CT is widely used for duct visualisation because angiography images can be inadequate for evaluation. We report the case of a 73-year-old woman with a highly calcified patent ductus arteriosus whose CT images were insufficient for accurate measurement. Intravascular ultrasonography is useful for sizing of and guiding device closure of the duct.

Intracardiac Echocardiography as a Guide for Transcatheter Closure of Patent Ductus Arteriosus

Background

Transcatheter closure of patent ductus arteriosus (TC-PDA), conventionally guided by aortography, has become the standard treatment of this disease. The purposes of this study were to evaluate whether intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) may be used for measuring PDA size and be used as a guide for TC-PDA.

Methods

This study had 2 phases. In phase 1, we compared the measurements of PDA size: pulmonary artery side diameter (PA-D), length, and aortic side diameter (Ao-D) of PDA, as measured by ICE with those measured by aortography or cardiac computed tomography (AoG/CCT) in 23 patients who underwent TC-PDA. In phase 2, we compared the demographics, fluoroscopic time, contrast volume, and complications of the TC-PDAs between 10 adult patients with ICE guidance and 16 without it.

Results

In phase 1, we found great correlation and agreement between ICE and AoG/CCT in PA-D (r = 0.985, bias −0.077 to 0.224), but moderate to poor correlation and agreement in length (r = 0.653, bias −0.491 to 3.065) and Ao-D (r = 0.704, bias 0.738 to 4.732), respectively. Nevertheless, all patients underwent successful TC-PDA with ICE guidance that allowed us to continuously monitor the whole process. In phase 2, TC-PDA required a significantly lower contrast volume with ICE guidance than without it, and there was no significant difference in the remaining variables between the 2 groups.

Conclusion

ICE is comparable to AoG/CCT in providing accurate PA-D of the PDA and may be a safe alternative to guide TC-PDA as compared to conventional aortography.

Comparison of transcatheter patent ductus arteriosus closure between children and adults

The data comparing the characteristics and effect of transcatheter patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) closure between children and adults is scarce. We analyzed 54 consecutive patients who underwent transcatheter PDA closures. We divided the patients into 2 groups of < 18 years and ≥ 18 years and compared the hemodynamic changes before and after the PDA closure. Adults had a higher incidence of heart failure on admission, diagnoses by heart failure and incidental echocardiography, PDA calcifications, and procedural complications than children (all P < 0.05). The left ventricular end-diastolic volume index (LVEDVI), left atrial diameter index (LADI), and LV mass index (LVMI) decreased after the PDA closure in children but not in adults. The LV ejection fraction (LVEF) significantly decreased 1 day after the PDA closure in both groups but remained low at 6 months after the procedure in only adults. The percent change in the LVEDVI, LADI, LVMI, and LVEF from baseline to 6 months after the procedure was significantly lesser in adults than children (LVEDVI: - 5.2 ± 29.1% vs. - 34.9 ± 18.9%, LADI: - 7.0 ± 13.2% vs. - 22.1 ± 18.9%, LVMI: - 11.0 ± 16.5% vs. - 34.1 ± 15.7%, LVEF: - 5.9 ± 7.6% vs. 6.1 ± 9.1%, all P < 0.05). Transcatheter PDA closure was not associated with a reduction in the LV and LA volume as well as an improvement in the LV hypertrophy and LV function in adults as compared to children. We suggested that an early diagnosis and transcatheter PDA closure during childhood might provide clinical benefit before progressive LV remodeling and heart failure.

Transcatheter Closure of Patent Ductus Arteriosus in Elderly Patients: Initial and One-Year Follow-Up Results-Do We Have the Proper Device?

Objectives

Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in elderly patients is an uncommon anomaly, and the duct itself is often calcified and fragile; therefore, transcatheter closure is more difficult. The aim is to analyse periprocedural and one-year follow-up results of transcatheter closure of PDA in such patients. Methods and results. Retrospective analysis of 33 elective patients aged ≥55 years (median 63; 56-85; 29 women), in whom PDA was closed percutaneously between 2002 and 2018 in two tertiary centres. All but three patients were symptomatic, with most in NYHA II (n = 14) and III (n = 11) class; pulmonary hypertension (n = 22), arterial hypertension (n = 22), duct calcifications (n = 17), atrial fibrillation (n = 15), significant mitral regurgitation (n = 5), and decompensated renal failure (n = 2) were observed. Different devices were applied depending on PDA morphology; nitinol wire mesh occluders with symmetrical articulating discs have been the most used in recent years (n = 11). Follow-up was conducted at an outpatient clinic (28/33 patients). The procedure was successful in all patients. There was one embolisation, followed by implantation of a larger device. No major complications were noted. A small residual shunt was present in echocardiography in one patient after one year. NYHA class improved in all but two patients (with multiple comorbidities).

Conclusions

Transcatheter PDA closure in elderly patients is safe and efficient with a high complete closure rate and few complications. Amplatzer duct occluder type II is an attractive device in such patients.

The new Occlutech® PDA occluder: Initial human experience

Objectives

To evaluate the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of the Occlutech^® PDA occluder for closure of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA).

Background

The Occlutech^® PDA occluder is novel, self‐shaping Nitinol wire device with PET (polyethylene terephthalate) patches integrated into the shank of the device to assure a better obturation of the ductus. The Occlutech^® PDA occluder has undergone two design modifications.

Methods

A prospective, non‐randomized pilot study was started in November 2011. Thirty‐three patients were included until April 2013. Patients weighing <6 kg or those with associated cardiac anomalies that required surgery were excluded. All patients were followed up by transthoracic echocardiography at 24 hr, 30 days, 90 days, 180 days, and 360 days after implantation. Residual shunt, left pulmonary artery (LPA) and descending aortic velocities were among the parameters assessed. All occluders were delivered via 6–8 F long sheaths and PDA closures were performed following standard techniques.

Results

Thirty three patients (20 female/13 male), with a median age of 2 years (6 month to 38 years), and median weight of 9.3 kg (6–69.2 kg) were included. The narrowest median PDA diameter was 3mm (1.8–5.8 mm). All the 33 patients were closed successfully using Occlutech ductal occluder, 16 patients (48.4%) had immediate and complete closure on angiography. Within 24 hr, color Doppler revealed complete closure in 27patients (81.8%), 32patients (97%) at 30 days, and in 100% of patients at 90 days. All patients with a large PDA had immediate residual shunt which was closed at the 90‐day follow‐up. There was no device embolization, hemolysis, or obstruction to the LPA or descending aorta.

Conclusion

The new Occlutech^® PDA is safe and effective. In patients with a large PDA complete closure tended to take longer time. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Closure of Tubular Patent Ductus Arteriosus With the Amplatzer Vascular Plug IV

Background:

Closure of tubular patent ductus arteriosus remains a challenging procedure. Anecdotal use of Amplatzer Vascular Plug IV for tubular ductus closure has been reported but feasibility and safety in a consecutive patients’ series remain unknown.

Methods:

We performed a monocenter prospective study at the Marie Lannelongue Hospital in Paris, France. From 2009 to 2014, a total of 47 patients (39 infants, 3 children, and 5 adults) underwent ductus closure with the Plug IV.

Results:

Ductus morphology was a type E in 34 (72.3%) patients and a type C in 13 (27.7%) patients. Ductus closure occurred in 39 (83.0%) infants at a median age of seven months (range: 3-23 months) and a median weight of 6.9 kg (range: 4.1-17.0 kg). A past history of prematurity and very low birth weight was found in 33 (70.2%) of them. Twelve (25.5%) patients had pulmonary hypertension. Mean Plug IV diameter was 1.9 ± 0.1 mm larger than the mean maximal ductus diameter. Early complete closure of the ductus was obtained in all patients. Early migration of an undersized Plug IV occurred in one (2.1%) patient and was suitable for percutaneous device retrieval. After a mean follow-up of 3.4 ± 1.4 years, all patients are alive and asymptomatic, no late complication occurred.

Conclusion:

Transcatheter closure of tubular ductus with the Amplatzer Vascular Plug IV can be safe and effective, with a 100% early occlusion rate. This device, suitable for a 4F sheath, is a new alternative for tubular ductus closure in low-body-weight infants.

Promotion of artery occlusion in dogs by percutaneous rotational atherectomy

BACKGROUND

This study aims to offer experimental data and indirect evidences for the application of percutaneous rotational atherectomy to treat patent ductus arteriosus (PDA).

METHODS

Eleven dogs (6 male dogs and 5 female dogs; aged 14-20 months, with an average of 16.7±3.2 months; weight 20-25 kg, with an average of 22.7±2.5 kg) were enrolled in this study. The diameters of the left and right arteries ranged from 3.2 to 4.8 mm (average 3.9±0.6 mm) on percutaneous angiography. Percutaneous rotational atherectomy with proper rotablator (the size was 1-1.5 mm larger than the artery diameter) was performed in the arterial intima. After 4 weeks from percutaneous rotational atherectomy, arteriography was conducted to observe the changes in artery diameter. Then all dogs were sacrificed and the pathologic examination was conducted on the left and right axillary arteries.

RESULTS

There were obvious changes with different degrees in 22 arteries, including 8 arteries with complete occlusion and 12 arteries with stenosis (≥2/3, 1/2, and 1/3 stenosis in 4, 4, and 4 arteries, respectively). The occlusion rate was 36.4% and the total effective rate was 90.9%. It was considered failure in other 2 arteries with <1/3 of stenosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Percutaneous rotational atherectomy of arterial intima can promote the occlusion of arteries. This has provided a new choice for the treatment of PDA.

Transcatheter closure of patent ductus arteriosus: past, present and future

This review aims to describe the past history, present techniques and future directions in transcatheter treatment of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). Transcatheter PDA closure is the standard of care in most cases and PDA closure is indicated in any patient with signs of left ventricular volume overload due to a ductus. In cases of left-to-right PDA with severe pulmonary arterial hypertension, closure may be performed under specific conditions. The management of clinically silent or very tiny PDAs remains highly controversial. Techniques have evolved and the transcatheter approach to PDA closure is now feasible and safe with current devices. Coils and the Amplatzer Duct Occluder are used most frequently for PDA closure worldwide, with a high occlusion rate and few complications. Transcatheter PDA closure in preterm or low-bodyweight infants remains a highly challenging procedure and further device and catheter design development is indicated before transcatheter closure is the treatment of choice in this delicate patient population. The evolution of transcatheter PDA closure from just 40 years ago with 18F sheaths to device delivery via a 3F sheath is remarkable and it is anticipated that further improvements will result in better safety and efficacy of transcatheter PDA closure techniques.