• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.56 no.9
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• pp.396-400
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• 2013

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to share our experience of transcatheter closure of small patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) by using an Amplatzer vascular plug (AVP). Methods: We reviewed the medical records of 20 patients who underwent transcatheter closure at Samsung Medical Center and Sejong General Hospital from January 2008 to August 2012. The size and shape of the PDAs were evaluated by performing angiograms, and the PDA size and the AVP devices size were compared. Results: The mean age of the patients was $54.9{\pm}45.7$ months old. The PDAs were of type C (n=5), type D (n=12), and type E (n=3). The mean pulmonary end diameter of the PDA was $1.7{\pm}0.6$ mm, and the aortic end diameter was $3.6{\pm}1.4$ mm. The mean length was $7.3{\pm}1.8$ mm. We used 3 types of AVP devices: AVP I (n=5), AVP II (n=7), and AVP IV (n=8). The ratio of AVP size to the pulmonary end diameter was $3.37{\pm}1.64$, and AVP size/aortic end ratio was $1.72{\pm}0.97$. The aortic end diameter was significantly larger in those cases repaired with AVP II than in the others (P=0.002). The AVP size did not significantly correlate with the PDA size, but did correlate with smaller ratio of AVP size to aortic end diameter ($1.10{\pm}0.31$, P=0.032). Conclusion: Transcatheter closure of small PDA with AVP devices yielded satisfactory outcome. AVP II was equally effective with smaller size of device, compared to others.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.56 no.2
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• pp.90-93
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• 2013

Congenital coronary arteriovenous fistulas (CCAFs) are rare coronary artery abnormalities in which blood is shunted into a cardiac chamber or great vessel. If the fistula itself is large and tortuous, it is generally recommended to occlude the fistula to prevent several complications. In approaches of transcatheter occlusion, the transvenous approach is preferred over the transarterial approach. The transvenous approach would enable the cannulation of a relatively larger catheter or sheath without potential damage to the femoral vessels or normal coronary arteries, which can occur in the transarterial approach. The transvenous approach may also minimize the blind pouch after releasing the devices. Herein, we report the success of transvenous proximal closure of a CCAF using an Amplatzer vascular plug (AVP) in a 3-year-old patient with cardiomegaly. Complete occlusion was achieved by a single AVP and thrombus formation of the distal aneurysmal portion of the fistula. We suggest that this strategy of closing the proximal end with a dilated fistula using a single AVP by the transvenous approach may be a good option in treating CCAFs in a young child.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.52 no.9
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• pp.1035-1037
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• 2009

Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is a common congenital heart defect. All PDAs, regardless of size or degree of symptoms, require occlusion. Transcatheter PDA occlusion features fewer complications than trans-thoracic closure. It is also more cost-effective and has an excellent occlusion rate. Therefore, transcatheter PDA occlusion is accepted as the standard treatment option for PDA. However, tubular-type PDAs are difficult to close with ordinary detachable coils or the Amplatzer Duct Occluder; thus, these lesions remain a challenge for transcatheter closure. We attempted to occlude a tubular-type PDA by using an oversized Amplatzer Vascular Plug, which allowed intraluminal packing of the ductus. By using this treatment method, PDA occlusion was achieved safely with an excellent final outcome. We suggest that this approach may be a good option for transcatheter closure of a tubular-type PDA.