Day-Case Patent Foramen Ovale Closure Under Transthoracic Echocardiography and Fluoroscopic Guidance: A Safe and Cost-Effective Approach as Compared to Conventional Hospitalization

Background: Transcatheter Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO) is recommended as a therapy in secondary prevention of cryptogenic stroke. The aim of this study was to report one-year French single-center experience in PFO closure under sole Transthoracic Echocardiography (TTE) and fluoroscopy guidance performed as a day-case procedure versus a 3-day hospitalization. Methods: In 2018, all consecutive patients undergoing PFO closure for stroke were retrospectively included: 108 patients as a day-case procedure (group 1) versus 20 patients performed under a 3-day hospitalization (group 2). A comparison was performed between Occlutech and Amplatzer PFO devices and the impact on hospitalization costs was studied. Results: Occluders included Occlutech (n=81), Amplatzer (n=43), Lifetech (n=2) and PFM (n=2) PFO devices. Implantation succeeded in all. In-group 1, hospital discharge was delayed in only 3 cases. At one-month, 5 patients had Atrial Fibrillation (AF) and 91 patients (84%) had no residual shunt. In-group 2, hospital discharge was delayed in 4 patients. At one month, 1 patient had AF and no shunt was observed in 80%. In the comparative study, no significant statistical difference could be observed between Amplatzer and Occlutech devices. The one-day strategy leaded to a positive balance of 1825 euros per procedure in 2018, with a difference of 3785 euros with group 2. Conclusion: Our experience suggests that day-case PFO closure under fluoroscopy and TTE guidance is safe and effective in the majority of patients leading to a cost reduction and no increased risk of embolization.