Closure of patent foramen ovale versus medical therapy after cryptogenic stroke: meta-analysis of five randomized controlled trials with 3440 patients

Abstract Objective: We aimed to determine whether patent foramen ovale closure reduces the risk of stroke, also assessing some safety outcomes. Introduction: The clinical benefit of closing a patent foramen ovale after a cryptogenic stroke has been an open question for several decades, so that it is necessary to review the current state of published medical data in this regard. Methods: MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL/CCTR, SciELO, LI-LACS, Google Scholar and reference lists of relevant articles were searched for randomized controlled trials that reported any of the following outcomes: stroke, death, major bleeding or atrial fibrillation. Five studies fulfilled our eligibility criteria and included 3440 patients (1829 for patent foramen ovale closure and 1611 for medical therapy). Results: The risk ratio (RR) for stroke in the "device closure" group compared with the "medical therapy" showed a statistically significant difference between the groups, favouring the "device closure" group (RR 0.400; 95% CI 0.183-0.873, P=0.021). There was no statistically significant difference between the groups regarding the safety outcomes death and major bleeding, but we observed an increase in the risk of atrial fibrillation in the "device closure group (RR 4.000; 95% CI 2.262-7.092, P<0.001). We also observed that the larger the proportion of effective closure, the lower the risk of stroke. Conclusion: This meta-analysis found that stroke rates are lower with percutaneously implanted device closure than with medical therapy alone, being these rates modulated by the rates of effective closure.

Estado atual do tratamento dos defeitos do septo atrial / Current status of the treatment of atrial septal defects

A comunicação interatrial tipo ostium secundum (CIA OS) é uma cardiopatia congênita relativamente frequente, que causa repercussão hemodinâmica para o ventrículo direito, com sobrecarga volumétrica e dilatação da câmara. A maioria dos pacientes é assintomática, porém sintomas podem aparecer depois da segunda década de vida. O tratamento eletivo é usualmente realizado próximo ao quinto ano de vida, podendo ser indicado mais precocemente quando houver sintomatologia exuberante. O fechamento transcateter usando uma prótese de duplo disco é bem estabelecido como a primeira escolha de tratamento para a maioria dos pacientes de anatomia favorável. Foi comprovado que o forame oval patente (FOP) está associado à acidente vascular cerebral isquêmico (AVCI) em pacientes com poucos ou nenhum fator de risco de doença cardiovascular. Recentemente, foi demonstrado que a oclusão transcateter do FOP é superior ao tratamento clínico para prevenir recorrências de AVCI nessa população, em um estudo randomizado com acompanhamento clínico de longo prazo. Este manuscrito revisa as atuais indicações, critérios de seleção do paciente e o seguimento clínico dos pacientes com CIA OS e FOP submetidos ao tratamento transcateter

Ostium secundum atrial septal defect (OS-ASD) is a relatively frequent congenital heart defect that causes hemodynamic burden on the right ventricle with volume overload and chamber dilatation. Most patients are asymptomatic, however symptoms can appear after the second decade of life. Elective treatment is usually performed around the fifth year of life, and may be occasionally indicated earlier if there are exuberant symptoms. Transcatheter closure using a double disc device is well established as the first choice of treatment for most patients with suitable anatomy. Patent foramen ovale (PFO) has been shown to be associated with ischemic stroke in patients with no or limited risk factors for cardiovascular disease. It was recently demonstrated in a randomized trial with long-term follow-up that transcatheter closure of PFO is superior to medical treatment for preventing recurrences of stroke in this patient population. This manuscript reviews the current indications, patient selection criteria, and long-term follow-up in patients with OS-ASD and PFO submitted to transcatheter closure

Giant thrombus entrapped by a patent foramen ovale in a patient with polycystic kidney disease

Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) is the most common genetic cause of chronic kidney disease (CKD). The most common cause of death in patients with this condition is cardiovascular disease, mainly due to hypertension and its consequences. We report a case of a 42-year-old male patient with polycystic kidney disease who developed a giant thrombus entrapped by a patent foramen ovale after an acute myocardial infarction (AU)

Procedimentos percutâneos combinados em defeitos estruturais e congênitos / Combined percutaneous treatment of structural and congenital heart defects

Defeitos congênitos múltiplos são tradicionalmente corrigidos cirurgicamente, mas, atualmente, podem ser tratados percutaneamente. Existem poucos relatos na literatura atestandosua eficácia e segurança. Objetivamos descrever uma experiência com a realização de procedimentoscombinados para tratar diferentes defeitos, congênitos e estruturais, numa mesma sessão terapêutica. Métodos: Desde 2007, foram tratados, numa mesma sessão terapêutica, diferentes defeitos. Todos foram selecionados por ecocardiograma. Os procedimentos foram realizados segundo as técnicas tradicionais já descritas para cada defeito encontrado. Resultados: Foram tratados dez pacientes, cinco do sexo masculino, com idades de 1 a 67 anos, e pesos de 11 a 90 kg. O defeito mais prevalente de forma isolada foi a persistência do canal arterial (PCA, n = 5), seguido da comunicação interatrial ostium secundum (CIA OS, n = 4) e da comunicação interventricular (CIV, n = 4). As combinações mais frequentes foram CIV com PCA (n = 2) e CIV com CIA OS (n = 2). Foram dilatadas duasestenoses valvares pulmonares com CIA OS e com forame oval patente (FOP), e uma coarctação de aorta com PCA. Adicionalmente, foi ocluído um apêndice atrial esquerdo com FOP e foi embolizada uma fístula aortopulmonar com PCA. Todos os procedimentos foram bem-sucedidos. O tempo médio de seguimento foi de 31 ± 28,1 meses, havendo apenas duas complicações. Não houve nenhum óbito. Conclusões: A pequena série de casos relatada mostrou que os procedimentos combinados foram seguros e eficazes, podendo ser reproduzidos por operadores experientes em centros especializados, podendo vir a se constituir como primeira opção terapêutica para esses pacientes...

Multiple congenital defects are traditionally corrected surgically, but nowadays can be treatedpercutaneously. There are few reports in the literature attesting to its efficacy and safety. We aimed to describe an experience with combined procedures to treat different congenital and structural defects, in a single therapeutic session.Methods: Since 2007, different defects were treated in a single treatment session. All were selected byechocardiography. The procedures were performed using traditional techniques already described for each defect.Results: Ten patients were treated, five males, aged 1-67 years, weighting 11-90 kilograms. The most prevalent isolated defect was patent ductus arteriosus (PDA, n = 5), followed by ostium secundum atrial septal defects (ASD, n = 4) and ventricular septal defects (VSD, n = 4). The most common combinations were VSD with PDA (n = 2) and VSD with osASD (n = 2). Two pulmonary valve stenosis were dilated with ASD and patent foramen ovale (PFO), and one aorta coarctation with PDA. Additionally, a left atrial appendage with PFO was occluded and an aorto pulmonary fistula with PDA was embolized. All procedures were successful. The mean follow-up was 31 ± 28.1 months, with only two complications. There were no deaths.Conclusions: The small number of reported cases showed that the combined procedures were safe andeffective and can be reproduced by experienced operators in specialized centers and may be considered asthe first therapeutic option in these patients...

Trastorno del ritmo poscierre del foramen oval con dispositivo Amplatzer PFO® / Rhythm disorder post-closure of the foramen ovale with Amplatzer PFO® device

Presentamos el caso clínico de una paciente de 53 años que consultó con síntomas neurológicos compatibles con un ataque isquémico transitorio. Se encontró un desorden protrombótico y un foramen oval permeable, sin otra explicación para la enfermedad. Se decidió cerrarlo por vía percutánea mediante un dispositivo Amplatzer PFO® y no hubo complicaciones durante el procedimiento. A los 15 días del alta comenzó con palpitaciones rápidas y se demostró una taquicardia auricular paroxística recurrente. Se inició tratamiento farmacológico con propafenona que logró controlar la arritmia y el síntoma. A los tres meses se suspendió la medicación. Transcurridos seis meses la paciente está asintomática, con electrocardiograma normal y un Holter sin la arritmia. Revisamos la literatura disponible sobre los trastornos del ritmo luego del cierre percutáneo del foramen oval y comunicación interauricular.

We report the case of a 53 years old woman who presents with neurologycal symptoms suggestive of a transient ischemic attack. A prothrombotic disorder and patent formen oval were found, with no other explantion for the disease. It was decided to closed the foramen with a percutaneously implanted Amplatzer PFO® device and there were no incidents during the procedure. Fiftheen days after hospital discharge she began to refere rapid palpitations and a paroxistic recurrent atrial tachycardia was documented. Pharmacological therapy with propafenone was initiated and it was able to control the arrhythmia and the symptoms. Three months later the drug was discontinued. After 6 months follow up the patient is asymptomatic, with a normal EKG and a Holter without arrhythmias. We review the available literature about rhythm disorders after the percutaneus closure of the foramen oval and interatrial comunication.

Self-expanding nanoplatinum-coated nitinol devices for atrial septal defect and patent ductus arteriosus closure: a swine model.

OBJECTIVES: Our purpose was to evaluate self-expanding nanoplatinum-coated nitinol devices for transcatheter closure of atrial septal defects and patent ductus arteriosus in a swine model. The devices were braided from platinum-activated nitinol wires and filled with polyester to enhance thrombogenicity. The platinum activation of the nitinol wires was carried out with the help of Nanofusion technology. The coating of platinum covers the exposed surface of the nitinol wires and prevents the release of nickel into the blood stream after the implantation of the device but does not affect its shape memory, which makes the device self-expanding after it is loaded from the catheter. METHODS AND RESULTS: Atrial septal defects were created in 12 piglets by balloon dilation of the patent foramen ovale. The size of the device was selected on the basis of the diameter of the balloon and the size of the defect, measured by transthoracic echocardiography. The devices were successfully deployed in all 12 piglets under fluoroscopic study. Transthoracic color Doppler echocardiograms showed complete closure of the atrial septal defect within 15 minutes of device implantation. Twelve patent ductus arteriosus closure devices were deployed in the right or left subclavian arteries in 10 piglets. Angiograms showed complete occlusion of the subclavian arteries within a few minutes of device deployment. In the atrial septal defect cases, the autopsy findings showed complete organizing fibrin thrombus formation and complete neo-endothelialization on the outer surface of the devices within one week and six weeks of implantation, respectively. CONCLUSION: The use of self-expanding nanoplatinum-coated nitinol devices for the transcatheter closure of atrial septal defects and patent ductus arteriosus is feasible. The excellent occlusion result and complete neo-endothelialization of the devices in the swine model is an indication of the potential of these devices in human application.