Doppler Echocardiographic Evaluation of the Pulmonary Arteries After Transcatheter Occlusion of Patent Ductus Arteriosus With Rashkind Prosthesis

Changes in left pulmonary artery (LPA) morphology and flow occur after transcatheter patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) occlusion using Rashkind prosthesis. To assess these alterations between April 1992 and August 1995 we evaluated 27 patients with Doppler echocardiography after successful prosthesis placement within 6 months. The patients' age ranged from 1.5 to 16 years (mean 5.49±2.9), weight 9.3 to 51 kg (18.45±8.67). A 12 mm umbrella used in 13 patients. Color Doppler echocardiography showed LPA turbulence in 7 patients (%25.9) while right pulmonary artery (RPA) flow was normal. On PW Doppler evaluation, a mild and statistically significant increase in LPA maximum flow velocity (mean 0.23±0.2 m/sec, range -0.04 to 0.7) was found when compared with RPA (t=5.90, p<0,0001). It is concluded that LPA stenosis can occur secondary to transcatheter PDA occlusion with Rashkind prosthesis, which maker further follow-up necessary.