Transcatheter Closure of Patent Ductus Arteriosus in Adults

Percutaneous transcatheter closure of the persistently patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) with the Rashkind PDA occluder system is an established effective therapeutic modality in the majority of children with PDA. We report here our results with adult patients with PDA. The study comprised 9 patients (8 females, 1 male with a mean age of 27±13, range 17-59. The diameter of the PDA ranged from 5.7 to 10.1 mm (7.8±1.6). Qp/Qs was calculated as 1.8±0.2 with the Fick method before the procedure. A 17 mm-device was used in all patients. Complete closure was accomplished in 4 patients at 1 week, 7 patients in 1 year. One of the 2 attempted reocclusions was successful (with the 17 mm-device). As a result, complete occlusion of the PDA with the Rashkind device was 89% (8 of 9 patients) in this study. No device embolization or major complictaions occurred during the procedure on the follow-up period. Percutaneous transcatheter PDA occlusion using the Rashkind occluder device is a feasible nonsurgical method also in adult patients with PDA.