Non-surgical closure of patent ductus arteriosus with the Rashkind PDA occluder system.

Transcatheter closure of Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA) was done in 18 children using the USCI Rashkind PDA occluder system. Patient age ranged from 1.2 to 14 years and their weights ranged from 8 to 36 kg. Isolated restrictive PDA was present in 15 patients; 3 had additional cardiac defects. The diameter of the PDA ranged from 2 to 6 mm as determined by lateral aortogram. PDA occlusion was successfully done in all 18 children. Ten 12 mm and eight 17 mm occluders were implanted with no complications. Post-implant aortogram showed complete ductal closure in 6 and trivial or small residual ductal flow in 12 cases. Doppler color flow mapping done within 3 days of the procedure showed complete ductal closure in 9, 8 had trivial ductal flow and 1 had small ductal flow. Transcatheter technique using a Rashkind PDA occluder system is a safe and effective method of non-surgical PDA occlusion.