HEMOLYSIS COMPLICATING COIL OCCLUSION OF PATENT DUCTUS-ARTERIOSUS

We report on 5 patients who developed hemolysis (the Hemolysis group) following coil occlusion for PDA, and compare their data to 66 cases w hich were not complicated by hemolysis despite residual leak (the No H emolysis group). A significant leak with a heart murmur was more frequ ent in the Hemolysis group than in the No Hemolysis group. The ratio o f the sum of the loop diameter of coils to the minimal diameter of the ductus (C/D) in those who developed persistent hemolysis that needed a second intervention (2.2 +/- 0.4) was significantly smaller than in the No Hemolysis group (3.1 +/- 1.1). Persistent hemolysis can occur i f a significant residual shunt remains after implantation of coils wit h small C/D. As this complication may be avoided by complete closure o r, if not complete, a minimal leak, we should be careful to make resid ual leaks as small as possible by the use of multiple coils. (C) 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.