[Patent ductus arteriosus in the adult: transcatheher treatment immediate and medium term results]

The anatomic changes of the patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in adult patients, such as aortic aneurysm, calcification, or being short and sometimes friable, could complicate the surgical treatment. The transcatheter occlusion of PDA with different devices is currently accepted as safe and effective. We presented our experience with percutaneous occlusion of PDA in adult patients by means of three different devices.

Between January 2000 and March 2005, 53 adult patients (47 women and 6 men) with PDA were treated for occlusion by means of percutaneous procedures. Average age was 25.3 years (Range, 16 to 54.7 years). Three different devices were used, 39 patients with Amplatzer for ductus arteriosus, 1 patient with Amplatzer for muscular interventricular communication, 11 with Gianturco coils, and 1 patient with Nit-Occlud. All devices were implanted successfully. Immediate complete closure was achieved in 31 patients (58.4%), in 20 patients (37.7%) with minimal leakage, and in 2 patients (3.89%) with moderate leak. Previous systolic pulmonary pressure had an average of 37.08 +/- 22.8. mm Hg (Range: 12-138 mm Hg) and went down to 28.75 +/- 10.25 mm Hg (Range: 16-57 mm Hg) with p d x 0.001. The average time follow-up was of 16.8 months (Range: 0.9 to 51.8 months) the occlusion was completed in 100%, in neither patients were observed complications related to implant of the devices.

Transcatheter closure at PDA in adult patients with different devices is safe and feasible.