Transesophageal echocardiography guided patent ductus arteriosus occlusion in adults with severe pulmonary hypertension through a parasternal approach

Between April 2010 and April 2014, 39 consective adult patients (> 18 years) with PDA associated severe pulmonary hypertension underwent transesophageal echocardiography guided patent ductus arteriosus occlusion through a parasternal minimally invasive approach. Among 39 patients, the procedure was successful in 32 cases (82.1%) and failed in 7 cases (17.9%). In the failed cases, 3 cases had a large residual shunt and 4 cases had persistent pulmonary hypertension. The mean minimum miameter of the successfully closed PDAs was 15.2 +/- 2.1 mm (range 9 to 24), and the mean diameter of the mushroom-shaped occluder was 17.5 +/- 2.5 mm (range 11 to 26). The pulmonary artery pressure decreased significantly after occlusion (P < 0.05), but there were no significant differences in the aortic pressure and blood oxygen saturation before and after occlusion (P > 0.05). Echocardiography performed on the first postoperative day showed decreased volume within the left atrium, left ventricle, and pulmonary artery in 23 cases, decreased volume within the left atrium and left ventricle in 4 cases, and no change in the volume of the atrium and ventricle in 3 cases. A minor residual shunt was observed in 6 cases. The posteroanterior chest X-ray showed improved pulmonary congestion in all cases and significantly reduced cardiothoracic ratio in 25 cases. Patients were followed-up at least for 1 year. No symptoms including palpitation, dyspnoea, or chest tightness were observed. The heart function ranged from NYHA class I to II. A minor residual shunt was observed only in one case. There were varying degrees of decrease in volume within the atrium and ventricle. In conclusion, transesophageal echocardiography guided patent ductus arteriosus occlusion through a parasternal minimally invasive approach is a feasible and effective method for the treatment of PDA in adults with severe pulmonary hypertension.