# Transcutaneous Closure of Persistent Ductus Arteriosus: Complication Rates and Long-term Follow-up, a Single-Centre Retrospective Study

## TL;DR

This study examines complication rates and long-term outcomes of a common heart procedure in children, finding that most issues appear quickly but some may develop years later.

## Contribution

The study identifies specific risk factors and late complications associated with PDA occlusion using ADO1 devices, suggesting the need for extended monitoring.

## Key findings

- Major complications occurred in 5.1% of patients within 24 hours of the procedure.
- 2% of patients developed mild to moderate aortic or LPA obstruction at least one year post-procedure.
- Late obstruction was associated with younger age and larger ADO1 devices in patients with large ducts.

## Abstract

Transcutaneous closure of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in childhood is a common procedure. Long-term follow-up by paediatric cardiologists is variable. Identification and classification of postoperative complications may enable targeted follow-up and timelier discharges. This study aimed to characterize complication rates and assess discharge timing.

This is a single-centre retrospective study of paediatric patients (aged 0-15 years) who underwent a transcutaneous closure of a PDA between January 2006 and December 2015.

A total of 156 patients who underwent interventional occlusion of a PDA were included. Complications were seen in 18 of 156 (12%) patients. High-grade complications occurred in 8 of 156 (5.1%) patients; these included device embolization, failure requiring surgical closure, or repeated interventional closure. Moderate to low-grade complications including flow acceleration in the aorta and left pulmonary artery (LPA) occurred in 10 of 156 (6.4%) patients. Fourteen of 18 (77%) complications were immediately apparent. Late mild to moderate obstruction of the descending aorta or LPA occurred in 3 of 156 (2%) patients. Later obstruction occurred in the Amplatzer ductal occluder 1 (ADO1) group only with large (4.5-5 mm) ducts. The average follow-up time for all patients was 81 (±47) months. Younger age at insertion and larger size of ADO1 devices were associated with later obstruction.

In our cohort, PDA occlusion was associated with a 5.1% major complication rate, which is evident within 24 hours; a further 2% (all treated with ADO1 devices) developed between mild and moderate aortic or LPA obstruction at least 1 year after the procedure. To date, this has not required intervention. It may therefore be prudent to continue longer-term surveillance of patients who have undergone PDA occlusion with the ADO1 device.