Percutaneous Closure of a Patent Ductus Arteriosus with the Cera™ PDA Occluder: Another Good Option in the Toolbox

ABSTRACTBACKGROUNDThe percutaneous closure of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) has been considered the treatment of choice by most authors and several devices with different structural characteristics have been used. The initial experience with the novel Cera™ PDA Occluder is reported.METHODSFrom March 2010 through December 2011, patients weighing over 5kg, with PDA diagnosed by transthoracic echocardiograms (TTE) with color Doppler flow mapping, and no associated defects, were submitted to the procedure. Follow-up was performed by TTE within one, three and six months after the procedure and yearly thereafter.RESULTSOverall, 18 patients were referred for percutaneous occlusion, of which 61.2% were female. Mean age and weight were, respectively, 13.7+9.3years and 42.9+20.1kg. Regarding morphology, 11 were type A, 6 were type E and 1 was a residual postoperative defect. Mean diameter was 4.2mm. Implant was possible in all patients. Ten 6–4mm, one 8–6mm, three 10–8mm and four 12–10mm devices were used. All defects were completely closed by the first follow-up TTE. There were no deaths or complications in this series.CONCLUSIONSThe Cera™ prosthesis may be used for the occlusion of small or large defects with excellent results in children and adults. The procedure is ease, safe, has a high efficacy and low morbidity and may be an excellent option for the percutaneous closure of PDA. Due to its flexibility, oversized devices greater than the 2mm usually recommended should be used