Transcatheter occlusion of patent ductus arteriosus in pre-term infants

The aim of this study was to describe our institutional experience with transcatheter coil occlusion of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in symptomatic low birth weight pre-term infants.

Transcatheter treatment of PDA in very small infants (<2 kg) is technically challenging and therefore often not considered as an alternative to traditionally accepted modalities (surgical or medical treatment).

Coil occlusion was offered as an option to selected infants with symptomatic PDA. Case selection for the transcatheter procedure was determined by the patient's weight, PDA size, size of ampulla, and the anticipated coil mass required for complete closure (determined through echocardiography). The PDA occlusion was achieved with coils delivered with assistance of a 3-F bioptome. Arterial access and catheter manipulation within the cardiac chambers were avoided whenever feasible.

Eight pre-term infants underwent coil occlusion. Gestational age ranged from 27 to 32 weeks (28.7 +/- 1.9 weeks). The median birth weight was 1,040 g (range 700 to 1,700 g), and the median weight at the time of procedure was 1,100 g (range 930 to 1,800 g). Three patients were receiving mechanical ventilation before intervention. Duct sizes ranged between 2 and 3.5 mm. Complete occlusion of the duct was instantly achieved in 7 patients, and 1 patient had a small residual flow for 24 h. There were no major procedure or access-related complications; 4 patients were discharged within 72 h; 1 patient was discharged on Day 10. Three patients required prolonged ventilation (34 and 150 days) due to pulmonary pathology.

It is technically feasible to undertake transcatheter coil closure of PDA in carefully selected symptomatic pre-term infants, and it is a safe alternative to surgical ligation.