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Transcatheter closure has become the method of choice for treatment of many heart defects. Recently, Lifetech Scientific introduced the Cera occluder (CO), a self-expandable nitinol wire-mesh device covered with ceramic coating. We present our preliminary experience in transcatheter closure of atrial septal defect (ASD), patent foramen ovale (PFO), patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), and post-infarction ventricular septal defect (PIVSD) with the CO.The study population consisted of 25 patients (17 female) ages 1.1-82 years (median age, 34.0 years) with either ASD (n = 7), PFO (n = 11), PDA (n = 6), or PIVSD (n = 1). All patients were treated percutaneously with appropriate CO devices, without any preliminary patient selection. The implantation technique applied in these procedures was the same as previously described for Amplatzer occluders.All procedures were performed successfully. Complete shunt closure was achieved in all but 1 patient with PIVSD. No complications were observed during procedures or during follow-up of 0.5-4 months.Our preliminary experience in the clinical application of COs for transcatheter closure of ASD, PFO, PDA, and PIVSD has confirmed their utility, feasibility, and safety, at least in the short-term follow-up.

Rupture of the interventricular septum is an uncommon and often fatal complication of myocardial infarction. Herein, we report the successful deployment of the Amplatzer® Multi-Fenestrated Septal Occluder–“Cribriform” (AGA Medical Corporation; Plymouth, Minn) during 2 procedures to close multiple postinfarction ventricular septal defects in a severely ill patient. We show that, in selected patients who have multi-fenestrated multiple postinfarction ventricular septal defects, transcatheter implantation of the Amplatzer Cribriform Occluder can be a good therapeutic option.

Venous access through the superior caval vein is mandatory to study the pulmonary arteries in patients with a Glenn anastomosis. In complex congenital heart disease, repeat catheterizations may lead to iliac vein thrombosis and superior access is needed. In order to avoid the internal jugular venous puncture, we have used puncture of the antecubital vein as an elective access.Brachial puncture was attempted in 37 patients. Mean age: 10 years (3.1-33.5). 2.45 heart surgeries and 3.6 cardiac catheterizations per patient had been previously performed in this group. 40% of patients had bilateral iliac vein thrombosis.Axillary vein external compression, venous puncture and introduction of 4-6 F sheath.Venous access through brachial vein was achieved in 34 of 37 pts (91.8%). Diagnostic catheterization was done in all, balloon test occlusion of the pulmonary valve in 3 and pulmonary artery branch dilation in 6 pts.2 late thrombosis of the right brachial vein (6%).Antecubital venous puncture is an alternative and useful technique that allows easy catheterization of superior caval vein, pulmonary artery and right heart chambers. It is associated with minor complication rate, avoiding internal jugular vein puncture. Certain therapeutic procedures can be performed through such route.

Percutaneous closure of atrial septal defects (ASD) is becoming more frequent.From October 1997 to October 2002, 209 patients, age 0.4-70 (mean 19.5) years, were catheterized to close an ASD or patent foramen ovale (PFO). Transesophageal echocardiography was performed simultaneously in all patients. Two hundred and six patients had ASD (25 multiple ASDs) and 3 had PFO. Three devices were used, the Amplatzer Atrial Septal Occluder (ASO), CardioSeal (CS), and Starflex (SF).Device implantation was achieved in 181 patients (87%) but had to be abandoned in 28 patients, generally because the ASD was too large. One hundred and seventy-four ASOs were implanted in 172 patients with ASD (2 ASOs were implanted in 2 patients with double ASD) and CS/SF in 9 patients (3 patients with PFO and 6 with ASD). The procedure was effective in 166/172 (96%) ASO implantations and in 8/9 (89%) CS/SF implantations. The procedure was unsuccessful in 7 patients and the device had to be removed (6 ASO and 1 SF). The occlusion rate with ASO was 88% after 24 hours, 91% after 1 month, 95% after 1 year, 97% after 2 years, and 100% after 4 and 5 years. All defects treated with SF/CS were closed successfully after 24 hours. In one case the ASO device was embolized to the aorta. In the first month after ASO implantation, supraventricular tachycardia appeared in 2 patients and transient left ventricular failure in 2 patients. No late complications were observed.Percutaneous catheter closure of selected types of ASD using the Amplatzer Atrial Septal Occluder, CardioSeal, or Starflex should be offered to patients as non-surgical alternative. The type of device used depends on the defect size and morphology as well as the surgeon's experience. The presence of multiple defects does not exclude the possibility of a successful percutaneous catheter closure.

Patients with complex congenital cardiac malformations who have been converted to the Fontan circulation with partial exclusion of the hepatic veins may develop progressive cyanosis because of formation of intrahepatic veno-venous malformations. We describe transcatheter closure of a major intrahepatic fistula in such a setting using an Amplatzer septal occluder delivered by the left jugular venous approach in a 5 year old boy.

Transcatheter closure of patent ductus arteriosus is routinely performed using various devices. After the withdrawal of the Rashkind umbrella device from the market, the wide window-type patent ductus arteriosus has been difficult to close percutaneously. Two patients with this condition are presented: a 17-year-old man and a 62-year-old woman with short (4.5- and 5.2-mm-diameter, respectively) ductus. We successfully implanted a 17-mm CardioSEAL® device in the 1st patient and a 23-mm STARFle® in the 2nd, with no residual shunt at follow-up (22 and 8 months, respectively). Although these devices (which follow the general design of the Rashkind umbrella) are usually applied to atrial septal defect closure, we believe that CardioSEAL and STARFlex implants could be the treatment of choice in percutaneous treatment of window-type patent ductus arteriosus. (Tex Heart Inst J 2003;30:236–9)