Transcatheter Embolization in Congenital Cardiovascular Malformations—Variable Use of Vascular Plugs

Objective: The objective of this study is to evaluate the clinical application and primary outcome of transcatheter embolization using Amplatzer™ Vascular Plug (AVP) Type 2 and Type 4 in different congenital cardiovascular malformations.

Design: This is a single-center retrospective observational cohort study.

Methods: We analyzed clinical and imaging data of 36 patients retrospectively who received transcatheter embolizations of the following malformations using AVP: systemic-to-pulmonary collateral arteries (SPCA), patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), ventricular septal defects (VSD), and aberrant pulmonary sequestration arteries (PSA). We included all patients treated in our institution from January 2010 to July 2023.

Results: In 36 patients (median age 40.0 months, range 0.5 months–42.0 years; 56.8% male), 44 AVPs were implanted in 37 procedures. The target lesions were SPCA in n = 15 procedures, PDA in n = 9, VSD in n = 9, and PSA in n = 4. Thirty-four AVP Type 2 and 10 AVP Type 4 were applied, the latter only in SPCA and PSA. SPCA was most common in complex congenital heart disease with univentricular physiology (75.0%). VSD were associated with additional cardiac malformations in 33.3%, PDA were associated with prematurity (55.6%), and all pulmonary sequestrations occurred in scimitar syndrome. Primary total or subtotal occlusion succeeded in n38/44 (86.3%). For residual PDA, an additional occluder was implanted in one patient. In one case, pulmonary sequestration had to be treated surgically. One premature infant with PDA closure sustained a relevant obstruction of the left pulmonary artery by the outer AVP disc which required surgical correction 4 months later.

Conclusion: Embolization using AVP is a suitable approach for closure of various cardiovascular malformations with a high primary success rate and low complication rate. It should be considered in treatment of different irregular vessel anomalies and in selected VSD.