Safety and efficacy of interventional occlusion of patent ductus arteriosus with detachable coils: a multicentre experience

In order to define the safety and efficacy of Cook detachable coils for int erventional closure of patent ductus arteriosus, we performed a retrospecti ve analysis of all patients who underwent cardiac catheterization in seven centres for intended interventional occlusion of patent arterial duct. From January 1995 until March 1998, cardiac catheterization for intended interv entional occlusion of patent arterial duct was performed in 317 consecutive children. Successful placement of at least one coil was achieved in 282 ch ildren (89%). The mean diameter of the ductus in children treated with Cook detachable coils was 1.65 mm, mean fluoroscopy time was 10.7 min. Occlusio n rates were 62% 10 min after the procedure, 82% at the time of discharge, 91% at 4 months and 95% at late follow-up (2 years). In children with a duc tus diameter of less than or equal to 2.5 mm the rate of successful coil de ployment was 94% with a 98% occlusion rare at late follow-up. Complications occurred in 11 procedures (3.5%) including haemolysis (3 patients), emboli zation of a coil to the pulmonary artery (7 patients, 2.3%) and inability t o release a coil (1 patient). Conclusion In our opinion, Cook detachable coils are safe and effective esp ecially in the treatment of persistent ductus arteriosus with a diameter le ss than or equal to 2.5 mm. Due to the low costs these coils appear to be s uperior to other devices in this subgroup of patients.