Haemolysis following implantation of duct occlusion coils

Objectives-To describe the incidence and management of haemolysis after tra nscatheter coil occlusion of the arterial duct. Design-Prospective clinical and echocardiographic follow up of patients who have undergone implantation of the Cook detachable duct occlusion coil. Se tting-Tertiary paediatric cardiac centre. Patients-Five cases of haemolysis (two girls aged 6 and 11 months; three bo ys aged 6, 17, and 14 months) from a series of 137 duct coil implantations. Main outcome measures-The occurrence of clinically significant haemolysis a fter implantation of duct occlusion coils and resolution of haematuria afte r completion of duct occlusion. Results-Haemolysis was detected in five of 137 procedures following implant ation of Cook detachable duct coils. Four patients became symptomatic 12 ho urs after the procedure but in one haemolysis was detected three months lat er. Resolution of ongoing haemolysis was achieved within 48 hours of detect ion with further coil implantations, but haematuria persisted for up to 10 days. In one patient the extensive destruction of erythrocytes resulted in acute renal failure requiring peritoneal dialysis. Conclusions-Haemolysis is an important complication after duct coil implant ation. It occurred in 3.6% of 137 procedures in this series and is most Lik ely to occur in young patients with relatively large ducts. Further coil im plantation to occlude the duct completely is not only successful but techni cally relatively straightforward and should be undertaken early if major co mplications such as severe anaemia and renal failure are to be avoided.