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Objective: To assess the initial experiment with percutaneous closure of interventricular septal defects (IVSD), especially perimembranous IVSD (PMIVSD) with the new Amplatzer prosthesis., Methods: Eleven patients were submitted to the procedure. Six of them had perimembranous IVSD (PMIVSD) and five with muscular IVSD (MIVSD). Two showed repeated respiratory tract infections and had low ponderal gain. One of them showed a previous history of infectious endocarditis. The others were asymptomatic and were selected through transthoracic echocardiography (TTE)., Results: In MIVSD group (n = 5), a patient had apical IVSD, two had medioseptal defects and two patients showed multiple defects. In this group, an interatrial septal defects (IASD) (Amplatzer Septal Occluder) and five prostheses for MIVSD (Amplatzer VSD-MUSC Occluder), and one patient received two devices. All implants were well-succeeded and went by without complications. In PMIVSD group (n = 6), two patients had membranous septal aneurysms. In five, we identified two orifices with selective angiography. We used arterial canal Amplatzer prostheses (ACP) (Amplatzer Duct Occluder) in 1 patient and specific prostheses for PMIVSD in the others (Amplatzer VSD-MEMB Occluder). A perimembranous occluder migrated immediately after released, being removed from the descending aorta. Another patient showed total atrioventricular block (TAVB), which reversed after corticotherapy., Conclusion: The procedure is technically complex and must be performed only in specialized centers. Despite of that, it showed safe and efficient in the selected cases, and it can be provided as an alternative to traditional surgical treatment.

OBJECTIVE - To report the results of percutaneous occlusion of persistent ductus arteriosus with the Amplatzer prosthesis in 2 Brazilian cardiological centers. METHODS - From May 1998 to July 2000, 33 patients with clinical and laboratory diagnosis of persistent ductus arteriosus underwent attempts at percutaneous implantation of the Amplatzer prosthesis. The median age was 36 months (from 6 months to 38 years), and the median weight was 14kg (from 6 to 92kg). Sixteen patients (48.5%) were under 2 years of age at the time of the procedure. All patients were followed up with periodical clinical and echocardiographic evaluations to assess the presence and degree of residual shunt and possible complications, such as pseudocoarctation of the aorta and left pulmonary artery stenosis. RESULTS - The minimum diameter of the arterial ducts ranged from 2.5 to 7.0mm (mean of 4.0+/-1.0, median of 3.9). The rate of success for implantation of the prosthesis was 100%. Femoral pulse was lost in 1 patient. The echocardiogram revealed total closure prior to hospital discharge in 30 patients, and in the follow-up visit 3 months later in the 3 remaining patients. The mean follow-up duration was 6.4+/-3.4 months. All patients were clinically well, asymptomatic, and did not need medication. No patient had narrowing of the left pulmonary artery or of the aorta. No early or late embolic events occurred, nor did infectious endarteritis. A new hospital admission was not required for any patient. CONCLUSION - The Amplatzer prosthesis for persistent ductus arteriosus is safe and highly effective for occlusion of ductus arteriosus of varied diameters, including large ones in small symptomatic infants.

Purpose: Evaluation of the role of transesophageal echocardiography in percutaneous closure of atrial septal defects (ASD) with the Amplatzer septal occluder., Methods: Patients were selected for percutaneous closure of ASD by transesophageal echocardiography (TEE), which was also used to monitor the procedure, helping to select the appropriate size of the Amplatzer device, to verify its position, and to access the immediate results of the procedure. During the follow-up, TEE was used to evaluate the presence and magnitude of residual shunt (RS), device position, and right cardiac chamber diameters., Results: Twenty-two (40%) of a total of 55 studied patients were selected. Thirteen underwent Amplatzer device implantation, eight are still waiting for it, and one preferred the conventional surgical treatment. All procedures were successful, which was mainly due to proper patient selection. Six (23%) patients acutely developed RS, which spontaneously disappeared at the three-month follow-up examination in three patients. There was a significant reduction in the right ventricle diastolic diameter, from 27 mm (average) to 24 mm and 20 mm, one and three months after the procedure, respectively (p < 0.0076)., Conclusion: With the aid of TEE, percutaneous closure of ASD can be successfully, safely, and effectively performed.

Purpose: To evaluate the overall experience of our institution with percutaneous occlusion of the patent ductus arteriosus., Methods: Since December/92, 150 patients underwent 178 procedures (85-Rashkind technique; 87-Gianturco coils; 6-Duct Occlud). Median age was 6.5 years (1 to 57). Mean minimum ductal diameter was 3.05 +/- 1.24 mm (1 to 8). Clinical and echocardiographic evaluations were performed periodically., Results: Adequate implantation was achieved in 143 (95.3%) patients. Prevalence of immediate residual shunting was 52.1%, falling to 15.9% during follow-up. This figure decreased to 5.2% after new additional procedures. Umbrella and coil embolization occurred in 1 and 12 procedures, respectively. Hemolysis and mild stenosis of left pulmonary artery were observed in one patient each. There was no mortality., Conclusion: This therapeutic modality is safe and efficacious with good follow-up results.

Purpose: To evaluate our initial experience with percutaneous closure of secundum type atrial septal defects (ASD) with the Amplatzer septal occluder., Methods: Seven patients underwent occlusion by anterograde approach, under general anesthesia and transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) guidance. One child had 2 ASD and a patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). The ASD size ranged from 8.7 to 20 mm as measured by TEE. A transthoracic echocardiogram was performed in the morning after the procedure., Results: Eight devices were successfully implanted in 7 patients and the PDA was occluded with a Gianturco coil at the same session. In this patient, there was an episode of supraventricular tachycardia during the occlusion of one ASD which was reverted with adenosin. All patients were discharged the day after, with complete occlusion of all defects., Conclusion: The procedure is safe, effective and versatile. It can be applied as an initial alternative to the treatment of selected patients with ASD.