Closure of a persistent ductus arteriosus Botallo without thoracotomy

A persisting ductus arteriosus (PDA) was closed with the Rashkind occlusion system in 15 patients (12 children, aged 1.0 to 10.8 years, and three adults, aged 21, 33 and 56 years). The method consists of the implantation of a double umbrella of polyurethane foam mounted on platinum or steel wire introduced into the PDA via a transport catheter, the ductus being closed by thrombosing and epithelialization of the implant. The mean diameter of the PDA (as measured in the lateral aortogram) was 2.4 (1.4-5.3) mm. There were no complications of the procedure, nor any embolization or other serious complications. The PDA was completely occluded in eight patients, while a residual shunt remained in seven. In the oldest patient, aged 56 years, who had a residual shunt, increasing haemolysis required surgical closure of the ductus with a pericardial patch. These results indicate that, for patients weighing over 5 kg and with a ductus diameter of less than 10 mm, the closure method after Rashkind is a sparing and only slightly invasive procedure.