Pulmonary perfusion scans following transcatheter patent ductus arteriosus closure using the Amplatzer devices

Obstruction to flow in the left pulmonary artery (LPA) is a well-known complication after transcatheter device closure of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). This complication has been studied for different devices using lung perfusion radionuclide scintigraphy (LPRS), but not for Amplatzer devices. This study was performed to evaluate the effect of such devices on lung perfusion using LPRS.

This is a retrospective study that looked at all patients who had PDA closure using different Amplatzer devices at our center between July 1999 and January 2007. All patients underwent LPRS within 24 hr of the procedure. We compared LPRS with other hemodynamic data obtained by cardiac catheterization and echocardiography. Results are presented as mean ± SD or median and ranges.

A total of 70 patients had PDA closure using an Amplatzer device; median age was 1.8 years (4 months to 75 years) and median weight was 12 kg (5-112 Kg). Nine patients had associated cardiac anomalies. Sixty eight patients had available LPRS. The mean percent of left lung perfusion (LLP) was 42.7% (± 6.7%). Excluding patients with pre-existing LPA stenosis, 17% had abnormally decreased LLP. On hemodynamic measurements, 62 patients had available direct pressure measurements following PDA closure. None had significant increase. No correlation was found with echocardiographic data.

PDA closure with Amplatzer family of devices is associated with a relatively significant risk of decreased perfusion to the left lung, mostly mild abnormalities. Comparison with catheterization and echocardiographic measurements showed lack of correlation with LPRS findings.