Background: The transcatheter option consisting of implanting and releasing an occlusive device designed as a double-umbrella is an interesting alternative to surgery aimed to close persistently patent ductus arteriosus.
Population and methods: Closure of a duct with the Rashkind device had been planned in 113 children. The procedure was abandoned in 12 with inadequately sized ducts (too large or too small). This study therefore included 101 attempts in patients aged 2.3 months to 18.5 years (m +/- 1 SD = 45.9 +/- 43.2 months) whose weights ranged from 3.3 to 87 kg (m +/- 1 SD = 15.7 +/- 11.7 kg). The narrowest dimension of the duct on the aortograms ranged from 1.2 to 6.2 mm (m +/- 1 SD = 2.9 +/- 0.9 mm).
Results: The procedure failed in seven patients because of a too large and/or tubular vessel, causing removal of the device prior to release in five patients, or surgical extraction after it had embolized into a pulmonary artery branch in two patients. An early acute hemolysis requiring again the surgical removal of an instable device in a tubular duct was seen in one case. Two patients had femoral artery occlusion successfully treated with thrombolytic agents. Complete occlusion was immediately proven in 32 (35%) of the 92 successful and stable implantations. These figures raised to 64% (59 cases) prior to discharge. At final follow-up (0.3-59 months, m +/- 1 SD = 13.8 +/- 14.4 months), another 16 total occlusions were observed and one patient was successfully managed by a second implantation. The final occlusion rate was 83% (76 cases). Of the 16 residual shunts, five were surgically suppressed and the remaining were minimal.
Conclusion: Transcatheter occlusion of the patent ductus arteriosus is safe in children weighing more than 5 kg, having ducts with a narrowing ranging from 1 to 6 mm. It is efficient in five out of six cases and has less disadvantages than surgery.