RESUMEN
Results of transcatheter closure of Patent Ductus Arteriosus [PDA] using Amplatzer duct occluder are excellent and have replaced the conventional surgical closure of the PDA in the majority of the cases. To assess the immediate and short term results of Transcatheter closure of patent ductus Arteriosus < 6.5mm, using the Amplatzer Duct Occluder [ADO] for the first time in Yemen. Seventeen patients [11 females and 6 males] were diagnosed to have Patent Ductus Arteriosus between May 2003 to May 2005. They underwent an attempt of Transcatheter closure of the PDA with ADO. The median age was 5.1 years [range 7 months to 11 years], and weight ranged from 4kg to 30kg [median 5. 6 kg]. A 6F sheath was used for delivery of the ADO. The median PDA diameter at the narrowest segment was 4.1mm [range 2.5 to 6.5mm] and the mean pulmonary/systemic flow ratio [QP/QS] was 1.7:1 [range 1.2:1 to 3:1]. There was immediate and complete closure in 10/17 by angiography results. At 24 hrs, 16/17 patients had complete closure of PDAs on colour Doppler echocardiography. Ten patients out of seventeen have completed the 6 and 12 months follow-up and all had complete closure without any complications. Our initial results show that Amplatzer duct occluder is safe and effective in closing PDA in most patients with a PDA < 6.5mm in diameter