Transcatheter Closure of a Residual Patent Ductus Arteriosus After Surgical Ligation in Children

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES To assess the safety and efficacy of transcatheter closure of residual ductal flow after initial surgical ligation of the arterial duct. SUBJECTS AND METHODS Between June 2005 and December 2009, transcatheter occlusion of residual postsurgical ductus arteriosus was performed in six children. RESULTS The mean patient age was 10±5.5 years; mean post-procedural time since the initial surgical closure was 6.3±4.5 years. The mean diameter of the patent ductus arteriosus on angiography was 1.3±0.5 mm (range, 0.8 to 2.4 mm). Three different types of coils were used successfully without any complications. CONCLUSION Transcatheter occlusion of residual postsurgical arterial duct is a safe and successful procedure. However, attention should be paid due to the distorting shape of the arterial duct.