ORTHODEOXIA-PLATYPNEA DUE TO INTRACARDIAC SHUNTING - RELIEF WITH TRANSCATHETER DOUBLE UMBRELLA CLOSURE

The safety and efficacy of transcatheter clamshell occlusion of patent foramen ovale for relief of severe arterial desaturation and dyspnea in the upright position due to intracardiac shunting were examined in eight patients with excessive risk of surgical patent foramen ovate cl osure, All patients had successful reduction of intracardiac shunting with an immediate rise in oxygen saturation greater than or equal to 9 5% by implantation of a clamshell device on the atrial septum, Despite two early incidents of device embolization, retrieval and immediate r e-implantation, and one patient with nonsustained atrial and ventricul ar arrhythmias, there were no adverse clinical sequelae, In follow-up evaluation transcatheter clamshell closure of patent foramen ovale has provided persistent relief from shunt-related arterial desaturation a nd symptomatology in all living patients. (C) 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.