[Patent ductus arteriosus closure with a Nit-Occlud device. Experience with 13 cases]

We report our experience with the percutaneous closure of patent ductus arteriosus with a Nit-Occlud device made of Nitinol (Nickel-Titanium alloy) in 13 patients; 10 women and 3 men, average age of 23.2 +/- 21.1 years. Average diameters were 3.8 +/- 0.8 mm and the morphologies, according to Krichenko's classification, were 10 type A, 2 type E, and 1 type C. The device was selected according to the aortic ampule and the narrowest part of the ductus. We implanted 8 occluders of 11 x 6 mm, 4 of 9 x 6 mm, and 1 of 7 x 6 mm. In three patients (25%) total occlusion was observed 15 minutes after implantation, in seven (54%) a trivial leak was observed, and in only two patients (16.6%) was the leak moderate to severe. In on patient, the occluder migrate to the pulmonary artery trunk and was successfully removed percutaneously; the patient was subjected then to surgical closure. Echocardiography follow-up 24 h later showed total occlusion in nine patients (69%). Six months after the procedure, two patient presented trivial leak (15%). One patient developed an endocarditic infection and died. We concluded that this occluder might be useful for this pathology, but further studies must be done.