Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 8, 2026
Echocardiographic Evaluation of Atrial Communications before Transcatheter Closure
Published on: February 8, 2022
Occlusion of Fontan fenestrations using the Amplatzer septal occluder
Insights
The Amplatzer septal occluder effectively and safely closes Fontan fenestrations in children. This transcatheter approach offers a 100% occlusion rate with no complications observed during follow-up.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Cardiology
- Interventional Cardiology
- Congenital Heart Disease
Background:
- The Fontan procedure is a palliative surgery for complex congenital heart defects.
- Fenestrations are sometimes created during Fontan surgery to improve cardiac output.
- Occluding these fenestrations can optimize Fontan circulation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the safety and efficacy of the Amplatzer septal occluder for closing Fontan fenestrations.
- To evaluate the transcatheter occlusion of post-Fontan fenestrations.
Main Methods:
- A study involving five pediatric patients (aged 5-10) who underwent fenestrated Fontan operations.
- Hemodynamic assessment via cardiac catheterization preceded transcatheter fenestration closure using Amplatzer devices (4mm, 5mm, or 9mm).
- Echocardiography and angiography were used for defect sizing and to assess residual shunting post-occlusion.
Main Results:
- Complete occlusion of Fontan fenestrations was achieved in 100% of patients.
- No device failures or procedural complications were reported during the three-month follow-up period.
Conclusions:
- The Amplatzer septal occluder is a safe and effective device for the transcatheter occlusion of Fontan fenestrations.
- This method provides a successful treatment option for managing residual shunting after Fontan surgery.
Objective:
To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the Amplatzer septal occluder device for occlusion of Fontan fenestrations.
Subjects:
Five children aged 5-10 years who had undergone a fenestrated Fontan operation.
Setting:
Tertiary paediatric cardiology centre.
Methods:
Each patient had right and left heart catheterisation to assess haemodynamic suitability for fenestration closure. Sizing of the defect was achieved with a balloon wedge catheter and transoesphageal echocardiography. Transcatheter occlusion of the fenestration was accomplished using a 4 mm device in three patients, and 5 mm or 9 mm devices in the other two patients. Residual shunting following occlusion was assessed using angiography and echocardiography.
Results:
100% occlusion rate of the fenestration was achieved in all patients. No complications or device failures were seen during the three month follow up period.
Conclusion:
The Amplatzer septal occluder device is safe, and effectively occludes the Fontan fenestration.
