Assessment of the transcatheter closure of patent ductus arteriosus

Objective: To explore the variation in blood pressure after transcatheter closure of PDA and assess the left ventricle function with echocardiography (ECHO). Methods: 300 cases were selected from April 1997 to May 2002 with mean age of 4.3 years. Cases with diameter of PDA <2.0 mm were occluded by using Pfm company produced Duct-occluder detachable coil; ≥2.0 mm used AGA company produced Amplatzer Duct-Occluder. Follow-up in 24 hours, one month, three months with ECHO, including residual shunt, left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD), left ventricular end-systolic diameter (LVESD), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left ventricular fraction shortening (LVFS). Results: There were 79 cases of hypertension after operation, Qp/Qs≥2 were obviously more then Qp/Qs<2 (P<0.05). All recovered within one to three days; 8 cases had mild residual shunt in 24 hours, only 1 case in one month, LVEDD, LVESD reduced obviously (P<0.05); EF, FS decreased slightly in 15 cases. Conclusions: Transcatheter closure of PDA shows good clinical efficacy and safety with some incidences of hypertension probably due to high volume of pulmonary blood flow. ECHO is useful in evaluation of left ventricular function. (authors)