Transcatheter Closure of Patent Ductus Arteriosus in Elderly Patients: Initial and One-Year Follow-Up Results—Do We Have the Proper Device?

OBJECTIVES: Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in elderly patients is an uncommon anomaly, and the duct itself is often calcified and fragile; therefore, transcatheter closure is more difficult. The aim is to analyse periprocedural and one-year follow-up results of transcatheter closure of PDA in such patients. Methods and results. Retrospective analysis of 33 elective patients aged ≥55 years (median 63; 56–85; 29 women), in whom PDA was closed percutaneously between 2002 and 2018 in two tertiary centres. All but three patients were symptomatic, with most in NYHA II (n = 14) and III (n = 11) class; pulmonary hypertension (n = 22), arterial hypertension (n = 22), duct calcifications (n = 17), atrial fibrillation (n = 15), significant mitral regurgitation (n = 5), and decompensated renal failure (n = 2) were observed. Different devices were applied depending on PDA morphology; nitinol wire mesh occluders with symmetrical articulating discs have been the most used in recent years (n = 11). Follow-up was conducted at an outpatient clinic (28/33 patients). The procedure was successful in all patients. There was one embolisation, followed by implantation of a larger device. No major complications were noted. A small residual shunt was present in echocardiography in one patient after one year. NYHA class improved in all but two patients (with multiple comorbidities). CONCLUSIONS: Transcatheter PDA closure in elderly patients is safe and efficient with a high complete closure rate and few complications. Amplatzer duct occluder type II is an attractive device in such patients.