How Is Percutaneous Patent Ductus Arteriosus Closure Performed?

The procedure for percutaneous patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) closure begins with a femoral artery puncture to perform an aortogram. This imaging test helps the physician determine the size, location, and shape of the ductus arteriosus, as well as identify any associated cardiac anomalies. Accurate assessment is crucial to decide whether the patient is a suitable candidate for transcatheter closure.

Preparation and Diagnostic Evaluation

Once the PDA is confirmed to be suitable for catheter-based closure, the next step involves accessing the femoral vein. A catheter is then inserted and guided through the venous system into the right side of the heart, entering the pulmonary artery. This allows for hemodynamic measurements and pressure readings to be taken, providing valuable data about the heart's function and the degree of shunting caused by the PDA.

Device Delivery and Deployment

Following the diagnostic phase, a guidewire is carefully advanced from the pulmonary artery through the PDA and into the descending aorta. Under fluoroscopic guidance, the physician then passes a delivery catheter over the guidewire to the target location. Once properly positioned, the closure device—a specially designed occluder—is advanced through the catheter and deployed precisely within the PDA.

After successful placement, the device expands to seal the abnormal connection between the aorta and pulmonary artery. The positioning and stability of the occluder are confirmed using additional imaging techniques before the catheter is removed and vascular access sites are closed. Patients typically recover quickly and are monitored briefly in a post-procedure care unit.