Transcatheter closure of patent ductus arteriosus with the use of Rashkind occluders and/or Gianturco coils: Long-term follow-up in 123 patients and special reference to comparison, residual shunts, complications, and technique

Background This report describes the long-term follow-up of transcatheter closure of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) with 2 different modalities in 123 patients of diverse ages. Methods and Results Between October 1990 and August 1997, 123 patients underwent transcatheter PDA (1.9 to 7.5 mm) closure at a mean age of 6.8 ± 8.9 years (range 0.06 to 52) and mean weight of 20.9 ± 17.6 kg (range 2.7 to 83). In the initial procedure, the Rashkind device was used in 60, the Gianturco coil(s) in 60, and the Rashkind device with a coil in 3 patients. Six-month closure rate for the Rashkind group was 77% versus 90% for the coil group. The second procedure was carried out for residual shunt in 19 (14 in the Rashkind group and 5 in the coil group) and a third procedure in 1 patient from the Rashkind group. A balloon wedge catheter was used in 50 of 78 coil procedures to prevent coil embolization. One device and 11 coils (8 without balloon aid) embolized to the pulmonary arteries. The device and all coils except 2 were retrieved successfully. Overall, 122 (99%) patients showed complete PDA closure. The mean uneventful follow-up period was 44.11 ± 23.77 months (range 8.7 to 90.28). Conclusions Transcatheter closure of PDA is feasible in infants as well as in patients >50 years of age without significant complications. The coils are easy to implant, less expensive, and multiple coils may be used in moderately large (>3.5 mm) ducts more effectively than with the Rashkind device. The use of a balloon wedge catheter prevents immediate coil embolization. Multiple procedures are feasible and safe to achieve complete closure. (Am Heart J 1999;138:1176-83.)