TRANSCATHETER CLOSURE OF PATENT DUCTUS-AR TERIOSUS BY THE RASHKIND DOUBLE UMBRELLA OCCLUDER

Fourteen young adult patients between 14 and 29 years of age underwent 15 procedures of transcatheter occlusion of patent ductus arteriosus. In all patients but one, the attempt to implant the device was succes sful (92 %). In one patient the ductus was judged to be too large for occlusion and the patient was sent for surgery. In no patient did the device embolize. A total of 6/13 (46 %) patients was discharged home w ith no residual shunt. Follow-up data (between 3 and 18 months) are av ailable in 10/13 patients. To date, 9/13 (70 %) had total occlusion of their duct, in one patient after reocclusion.