[Transfemoral occlusion of persistent ductus arteriosus]

In six patients aged between 17 and 53 years with persistent ductus arteriosus a non-operative occlusion of the ductus developed by Porstmann was used. The procedure comprises the percutaneous insertion of an Ivalon plug via the femoral artery in local anaesthesia and lodging in the patent ductus. Placement is enabled by pre-placing of an arterio-ductus-venous wire catheter. In all six consecutively treated patients the procedure was successful. Follow-up assessment after three months confirmed positioning of the plug in the ductus. In one female patient with cardiac insufficiency the complaints had completely disappeared and cardiac size had greatly diminished. Thus a comparatively trouble-free catheter technique for occlusion of the ductus is available which may replace surgery.