The Results of Percutaneous Transcatheter Closure of PFO Using Amplatzer PFO Device in Damascus University

Abstract

Background: The goal is to assess efficacy and safety of  transcatheter closure of PFO associated with stroke/transient ischemic attack or peripheral embolism ,using the new Amplatzer PFO device.

Methods: This study was done at the cardiac surgical center  between 2010-2012 in Damascus university. A total of sixty patients with PFO and at least one paradoxical embolic event (57 patients had cerebrovascular accident [CVA] or TIA, one  patient had  coronary embolism, one had left lower limb embolism, the last one had right renal infarction) have undergone percutaneous PFO closure with Amplatzer devices. There were 26 women and 34 men, with a mean age of 40,8+/-5,2 years.

Complete angiographic closure was assessed promptly after Amplatzer device implantation. :The procedural, echocardiographic, and clinical outcomes were revaluated during patients follow-up.

Results: The implantation procedure was successful with no residual right to left shunt in 59 patients (98.33%) promptly after implantation.

During follow-up (mean, 15.6+/-6.2 months; range, 6 months to 2 years), the risk to suffer a recurrent thromboembolic event was 1.76% for TIA, 0% for CVA, 0% for peripheral emboli. There was no death or serious complications reported. But one patient (1.67%) developed transient ST segment elevation, while another  patient (1.67%) suffered of groin AV fistula required surgical repair. One more patient had transient atrial fibrillation during procedure. 

Conclusion: We conclude that transcatheter closure of PFO associated with stroke/transient ischemic attack or peripheral embolism using the new Amplatzer PFO device is a safe and effective method in preventing recurrence of such episodes