Transcatheter closure of Patent Ductus Arteriosus through only venous route.

Patent ductus arteriosus is a common congenital cardiac defect comprising 5-10% of all these defects in term neonates. Although open chest and video-assisted interruption are still in use, transcatheter occlusion has rapidly become the first choice for patent ductus arteriosus closure in the appropriate patient. Percutaneous closure of patent ductus arteriosus is widely done by transvenous approach guided by aortic access. We present the case of a 2 year old girl who underwent patent ductus arteriosus device occlusion with transvenous access only.

Occlutech percutaneous patent foramen ovale closure: Safety and efficacy registry (OPPOSE).

INTRODUCTION: Safety and efficacy data on patent foramen ovale (PFO) closure with the Occlutech Figulla Flex II device are lacking. We undertook a fully monitored prospective Registry on PFO closure using this device. METHODS: 100 patients undergoing PFO closure were enrolled into the OPPOSE Registry at 6 UK centres. The primary endpoint was PFO closure (grade 0 or 1 shunt) at 6-month BCTTE assessed by Corelab. Secondary endpoints included implantation success, complications, and atrial fibrillation during follow-up. RESULTS: 100 patients aged 43.8±11.5years, 53% male, were recruited. Indications for PFO closure included stroke (56%), TIA (29%) systemic embolism (4%) and MI (3%). Closure was undertaken under GA (44%) or LA (56%), with TOE (45%), ICE (31%), no imaging (20%) or TTE (3%). Balloon sizing was used in 98% of cases and showed a tunnel length of 7.3±3.6mm, primum-secundum separation of 7.0±2.9mm and basal inlet width of 8.5±3.5mm. Implantation was successful in all cases using 18mm (9%), 25mm (80%), 30mm (10%) and 35mm (1%) devices. 5 patients were lost to follow-up. 92 patients underwent six-month BCTTE. The primary endpoint of PFO closure (grade 0 or 1 shunt) at six months was 79.3%. One patient developed major bleeding (BARC 3b), one patient required vascular surgery, and in one patient device embolization was noted at six months and a larger device implanted. There was one case of new atrial fibrillation. CONCLUSIONS: This first prospective monitored data for the Occlutech Figulla Flex II device demonstrates good safety and efficacy data at implant and six-month follow-up.

Successful percutaneous ablation of ventricular tachycardia in congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries, a case report.

Ventricular tachycardia (VT) is rarely recognized in patients with congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries (CCTGA). We describe a 48-year-old woman with CCTGA, systemic atrioventricular valve replacement for Ebsteinoid malformation of the valve, ventricular dysfunction and ventricular tachycardia related to the previous surgical scar. The patient had successful non-contact mapping and radiofrequency ablation of the offending tachycardia substrate.

Axillary versus infraclavicular placement for endocardial heart rhythm devices in patients with pediatric and congenital heart disease.

Our objective was to evaluate the implant and mid-term outcomes of transvenous pacemaker or internal cardioverter-defibrillator placement by alternative axillary approaches compared to the infraclavicular approach in a pediatric and congenital heart disease population. We conducted a retrospective review of all patients with new endocardial heart rhythm devices placed at 4 pediatric arrhythmia centers. A total of 317 patients were included, 63 had undergone a 2-incision axillary approach, 51 a retropectoral axillary approach, and 203 an infraclavicular approach. Congenital heart disease was present in 62% of the patients. The patients with the 2-incision axillary approach were younger and smaller. The patients with the retropectoral axillary approach were less likely to have undergone previous cardiac surgery and were more likely to have had an internal cardioverter-defibrillator placed. The duration of follow-up was 2.4 ± 1.9 years for the 2-incision axillary, 2.6 ± 2.6 years for retropectoral axillary, and 3.5 ± 1.4 years for the infraclavicular technique (p = 0.01). No differences were seen in implant characteristics, lead longevity, implant complications, lead fractures or dislodgements, inappropriate internal cardioverter-defibrillator discharges, or device infections among the 3 groups. In conclusion, our data support that the outcomes of axillary approaches are comparable to the infraclavicular approach for endocardial heart rhythm device placement and that axillary approaches should be considered a viable option in patients with pediatric and congenital heart disease.