Long-term Outcome of Fontan-Associated Protein-Losing Enteropathy: Treatment Modality and Predictive Factor of Mortality

Background and Objectives@#Protein-losing enteropathy (PLE) is a devastating complication after the Fontan operation. This study aimed to investigate the clinical characteristics, treatment response, and outcomes of Fontan-associated PLE. @*Methods@#We reviewed the medical records of 38 patients with Fontan-associated PLE from 1992 to 2018 in 2 institutions in Korea. @*Results@#PLE occurred in 4.6% of the total 832 patients after the Fontan operation. After a mean period of 7.7 years after Fontan operation, PLE was diagnosed at a mean age of 11.6years. The mean follow-up period was 8.9 years. The survival rates were 81.6% at 5 years and 76.5% at 10 years. In the multivariate analysis, New York Heart Association Functional classification III or IV (p=0.002), low aortic oxygen saturation (<90%) (p=0.003), and ventricular dysfunction (p=0.032) at the time of PLE diagnosis were found as predictors of mortality. PLE was resolved in 10 of the 38 patients after treatment. Among medical managements, an initial heparin response was associated with survival (p=0.043). Heparin treatment resulted in resolution in 4 patients. We found no evidence on pulmonary vasodilator therapy alone. PLE was also resolved after surgical Fontan fenestration (2/6), aortopulmonary collateral ligation (1/1), and transplantation (1/1). @*Conclusions@#The survival rate of patients with Fontan-associated PLE has improved with the advancement of conservative care. Although there is no definitive method, some treatments led to the resolution of PLE in one-fourth of the patients. Further investigations are needed to develop the best prevention and therapeutic strategies for PLE.

Procedural, Early and Long-Term Outcomes after Transcatheter Atrial Septal Defects Closure: Comparison between Large and Very Large Atrial Septal Defect Groups

No abstract available.

The outcome of percutaneous stent implantation in congenital heart disease: experience of a single institute / 소아과

PURPOSE: The efficacy of percutaneous stent implantation for congenital heart disease (CHD) in Korea, where stent availability is limited, has not been determined. This study evaluated the acute and midterm results of stent implantation in different CHD subgroups. METHODS: Stents were implanted in 75 patients with 81 lesions: (1) pulmonary artery stenosis (PAS) group, 56 lesions in 51 patients; (2) coarctation of the aorta (CoA) group, 5 lesions in 5 patients; (3) Fontan group, 13 lesions in 12 patients; (4) ductal stent group, 3 lesions in 3 patients; and (5) other CHD group, 4 lesions in 4 patients. Mean follow-up duration was 2.1 years (0.1–4 years). Medical records were reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS: The minimum lumen diameter (MLD) in PAS and CoA increased from 5.0±1.9 mm and 8.4±1.6 mm to 10.1±3.6 mm and 12.3±2.5 mm, respectively (P<0.01). In the PAS group, pressure gradient decreased from 25.7±15.6 mmHg to 10.4±10.1 mmHg, and right ventricular to aortic pressure ratio from 0.56±0.21 to 0.46±0.19. In the CoA group, the pressure gradient decreased from 50±33 mmHg to 17±8 mmHg. In the ductal stent group, the MLD of the ductus increased from 2.3 mm to 4.3 mm and arterial oxygen saturation from 40%–70% to 90%. No deaths were associated with stent implantation. Stent migration occurred in 3 patients, but repositioning was successful in all. Stent redilation was performed successfully in 26 cases after 29±12 months. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous stent implantation was safe and effective, with acceptable short and mid-term outcomes in Korean CHD patients.

Infective Endocarditis Caused by Neisseria cinerea in a 7-Year-Old Girl Who Had Undergone Surgical Pulmonary Valve Replacement / 이화의대지

A 7-year-old girl was admitted to the emergency department with a 2-week history of fever and general weakness. She had been diagnosed with tetralogy of Fallot and received surgical repair. Pulmonary prosthetic valve replacement was performed in January 2014 because of severe pulmonary regurgitation and moderate right ventricle dilatation. Echocardiography revealed suspicious vegetation around the prosthetic pulmonary valve. Neisseria cinerea was confirmed in blood culture. We diagnosed with bacterial infective endocarditis, and administered empirical intravenous antibiotics for endocarditis. However, the fever and general weakness continued, with mild muscle aches and coughing. Thus, we performed a chest radiography and pneumonia workup. Therefore, she was diagnosed with mycoplasma pneumonia and given oral clarithromycin twice daily for 2 weeks. She was successfully treated with antibiotics for 46 days. We report the first case of infective endocarditis caused by N. cinerea in Korea.

Short-Term Change of Exercise Capacity in Patients with Pulmonary Valve Replacement after Tetralogy of Fallot Repair

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of pulmonary valve replacement (PVR) on exercise capacity and determine cardiopulmonary exercise (CPEX) parameters associated with improvement in right ventricle (RV) function. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed CPEX and magnetic resonance imaging parameters in a total of 245 patients who underwent PVR from January 1998 to October 2015. In addition, we analyzed the characteristics of the patients who showed improved exercise capacity after PVR. RESULTS: Twenty-eight patients met the inclusion criteria for the study. CPEX parameters after PVR showed no significant changes in all patients. However, baseline predicted peak oxygen uptake (VO2(peak)) (%) value was significantly lower in patients with significant improvement in exercise capacity after PVR, as compared to patients who showed decreased exercise capacity after PVR (60.83±10.28 vs. 75.81±13.83) (p=0.003). In addition, patients with improved exercise capacity showed a positive correlation between the change of right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF) (%) and the change of anaerobic threshold (r=0.733, p=0.007); whereas, patients with decreased exercise capacity showed a negative correlation between the change of RVEF (%) and the change of predicted VO2(peak) (%) (r=−0.575, p=0.020). CONCLUSION: The importance of predicted VO2(peak) (%) in evaluating exercise capacity differentiated from other CPEX variables. The change of anaerobic threshold and predicted VO2(peak) (%) might be a useful predictor of the change in RV function after PVR.

Impact of postoperative duration of Aspirin use on longevity of bioprosthetic pulmonary valve in patients who underwent congenital heart disease repair / 소아과

PURPOSE: Generally, aspirin is used as a protective agent against thrombogenic phenomenon after pulmonary valve replacement (PVR) using a bioprosthetic valve. However, the appropriate duration of aspirin use is unclear. We analyzed the impact of postoperative duration of aspirin use on the longevity of bioprosthetic pulmonary valves in patients who underwent repair for congenital heart diseases. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical data of 137 patients who underwent PVR using a bioprosthetic valve between January 2000 and December 2003. Among these patients, 89 were included in our study and divided into groups I (≤12 months) and II (>12 months) according to duration of aspirin use. We analyzed echocardiographic data from 9 to 11 years after PVR. Pulmonary vale stenosis and regurgitation were classified as mild, moderate, or severe. RESULTS: The 89 patients consisted of 53 males and 36 females. Their mean age was 14.3±8.9 years (range, 2.6–48 years) and body weight was 37.6±14.7 kg (range, 14–72 kg). The postoperative duration of aspirin use was 7.3±2.9 months in group I and 32.8±28.4 months in group II. However, no significant difference in sex ratio, age, body weight, type of bioprosthetic valve, and number of early redo-PVRs. In the comparison of echocardiographic data about 10 years later, no significant difference in pulmonary valve function was found. The overall freedom rate from redo-PVR at 10 years showed no significant difference (P=0.498). CONCLUSION: Our results indicated no benefit from long-term aspirin medication (>6 months) in patients who underwent PVR with a bioprosthetic valve.

Transcatheter Closure of Secundum Atrial Septal Defect in Patients Over 60 Years Old

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Atrial septal defect (ASD) is the one of most common congenital heart diseases detected in adults. Along with remarkable development of device technology, the first treatment strategy of secundum ASD has been transcatheter closure in feasible cases. However, there are only a few publications regarding the results of transcatheter closure of ASD in elderly patients, especially those over 60 years of age. We report our results of transcatheter closure of ASD in patients over 60 years old. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Between May 2006 and December 2011, 31 patients over 60 years old (25 female and 6 male; mean 66.7+/-5.25 years old, range 61-78 years old) were referred to our center. RESULTS: A total of 23 patients underwent therapeutic catheterization to close secundum ASD, and the closure was successful in 22 patients (95.7%). All patients who underwent the procedure survived except for one patient who expired because of left ventricular dysfunction. A small residual shunt was observed in two (9%) of 21 patients before discharge but disappeared at follow-up. All patients eventually had complete closure. There were five patients who had coronary problems. One patient underwent percutaneous coronary intervention using a stent at the same time as transcatheter closure of ASD. Atrial arrhythmias were detected in 6 of 23 patients (26.1%) before the procedure. One patient was successfully treated by radiofrequency ablation before the procedure. No patients displayed new onset arrhythmia during the follow-up period. Follow-up echocardiographic evaluation showed a significantly improved right ventricular geometry. CONCLUSION: We conclude that transcatheter closure of ASD is a safe and an effective treatment method for patients over 60 years old if the procedure is performed under a thorough evaluation of comorbidities and risk factors.

Transcatheter Closure of Secundum Atrial Septal Defect in Patients Over 60 Years Old

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Atrial septal defect (ASD) is the one of most common congenital heart diseases detected in adults. Along with remarkable development of device technology, the first treatment strategy of secundum ASD has been transcatheter closure in feasible cases. However, there are only a few publications regarding the results of transcatheter closure of ASD in elderly patients, especially those over 60 years of age. We report our results of transcatheter closure of ASD in patients over 60 years old. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Between May 2006 and December 2011, 31 patients over 60 years old (25 female and 6 male; mean 66.7+/-5.25 years old, range 61-78 years old) were referred to our center. RESULTS: A total of 23 patients underwent therapeutic catheterization to close secundum ASD, and the closure was successful in 22 patients (95.7%). All patients who underwent the procedure survived except for one patient who expired because of left ventricular dysfunction. A small residual shunt was observed in two (9%) of 21 patients before discharge but disappeared at follow-up. All patients eventually had complete closure. There were five patients who had coronary problems. One patient underwent percutaneous coronary intervention using a stent at the same time as transcatheter closure of ASD. Atrial arrhythmias were detected in 6 of 23 patients (26.1%) before the procedure. One patient was successfully treated by radiofrequency ablation before the procedure. No patients displayed new onset arrhythmia during the follow-up period. Follow-up echocardiographic evaluation showed a significantly improved right ventricular geometry. CONCLUSION: We conclude that transcatheter closure of ASD is a safe and an effective treatment method for patients over 60 years old if the procedure is performed under a thorough evaluation of comorbidities and risk factors.

The results of cardiopulmonary exercise test in healthy Korean children and adolescents: single center study / 소아과

PURPOSE: The cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) is an important clinical tool for evaluating exercise capacity and is frequently used to evaluate chronic conditions including congenital heart disease. However, data on the normal CPET values for Korean children and adolescents are lacking. The aim of this study was to provide reference data for CPET variables in children and adolescents. METHODS: From August 2006 to April 2009, 76 healthy children and adolescents underwent the CPET performed using the modified Bruce protocol. Here, we performed a medical record review to obtain data regarding patient' demographics, medical history, and clinical status. RESULTS: The peak oxygen uptake (VO2Peak) and metabolic equivalent (METMax) were higher in boys than girls. The respiratory minute volume (VE)/CO2 production (VCO2) slope did not significantly differ between boys and girls. The cardiopulmonary exercise test data did not significantly differ between the boys and girls in younger age group (age, 10 to 14 years). However, in older age group (age, 15 to 19 years), the boys had higher VO2Peak and METMax values and lower VE/VCO2 values than the girls. CONCLUSION: This study provides reference data for CPET variables in case of children and adolescents and will make it easier to use the CPET for clinical decision-making.

An Adolescent Patient with Coarctation of Aorta Treated with Self-Expandable Nitinol Stent

Transcatheter treatment of aortic coarctation, with balloon angioplasty or stent implantation, is now an acceptable alternative to surgical repair. However these procedures may result in complications, such as vascular wall injury and re-stenosis of the lesion. A nitinol self-expandable stent, when deployed at the coarctation site, produces low constant radial force, which may result in a gradual widening of the stenotic lesion leaving less tissue injury ('stretching rather than tearing'). For an adolescent with a native aortic coarctation, a self-expandable stent of 20 mm diameter was inserted at the discrete stenotic lesion of 5 mm diameter without previous balloon dilatation procedure. No further balloon dilatation was done immediately after the stent insertion. With the self-expandable stent only, the stenosis of the lesion was partially relieved immediately after the stent deployment. Over several months after the stent insertion, gradual further widening of the stent waist to an acceptable dimension was observed.

Tumor Lysis Syndrome in a Child with Osteosarcoma / 임상소아혈액종양

Tumor lysis syndrome (TLS) is a metabolic derangement that may be seen after the initial treatment of cancer and usually occurs in patients with bulky, rapidly proliferating, or treatment-responsive tumors such as acute leukemia or Burkitt lymphoma. However, it is rare in the treatment of the solid tumor, especially osteosarcoma. An 11-year-old girl was admitted with a 3-months history of severe right leg pain. She was diagnosed as osteosarcoma and was treated with cisplatin and adriamycin. Three days after treatment, the values of potassium, phosphorus, uric acid were 6.4 mEq/L, 5.6 mg/dL and 8.9 mg/dL, respectively. At the same time, the value of calcium was 6.2 mg/dL. Although she was treated with proper conservative treatment including dialysis, she had significant complications such as renal failure, heart failure, hypoxic brain damage. We report a case of TLS in a girl with huge osteosarcoma.

Tumor Lysis Syndrome in a Child with Osteosarcoma / 임상소아혈액종양

Tumor lysis syndrome (TLS) is a metabolic derangement that may be seen after the initial treatment of cancer and usually occurs in patients with bulky, rapidly proliferating, or treatment-responsive tumors such as acute leukemia or Burkitt lymphoma. However, it is rare in the treatment of the solid tumor, especially osteosarcoma. An 11-year-old girl was admitted with a 3-months history of severe right leg pain. She was diagnosed as osteosarcoma and was treated with cisplatin and adriamycin. Three days after treatment, the values of potassium, phosphorus, uric acid were 6.4 mEq/L, 5.6 mg/dL and 8.9 mg/dL, respectively. At the same time, the value of calcium was 6.2 mg/dL. Although she was treated with proper conservative treatment including dialysis, she had significant complications such as renal failure, heart failure, hypoxic brain damage. We report a case of TLS in a girl with huge osteosarcoma.

Respiratory syncytial virus infection cases in congenital heart disease patients / 소아과

PURPOSE: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is one of the main pathogens causing lower respiratory infections (LRI) in young children, usually of limited severity. However, in congenital heart disease (CHD) patients, one of the high-risk groups for RSV infection, RSV can cause serious illnesses and fatal results. To elucidate the effects of RSV infection in CHD patients, we observed RSV infection cases among CHD patients and non-CHD patients. METHODS: On admission of 343 LRI patients over 3 years, 77 cases of RSV infection were detected by the RSV antigen rapid test of nasopharyngeal secretion. We compared RSV infection cases among groups of CHD and non-CHD patients. RESULTS: During the winter season, RSV caused 20-50% of LRI admissions in children. In patients with completely repaired simple left to right (L-R) shunt diseases such as ventricular septal defect, atrial septal defect, and patent ductus arteriosus, RSV infections required short admission days similar to non-CHD patients. In patients with repaired CHD other than simple L-R shunt CHD, for whom some significant hemodynamic problems remained, RSV infection required long admission days with severe clinical course. In children with unrepaired CHD, RSV infection mostly occurred in early infant age, with long admission days. RSV infections within a month after cardiac surgery also required long admission days and severe clinical course. CONCLUSION: To avoid the tragedic outcome of severe RSV infection in the CHD patients, efforts to find the subgroups of CHD patients at high risk to RSV infection are needed, and effective preventive treatment should be applied.

The Recent Surgical Result of Total Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Return

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Recent surgical results from total anomalous pulmonary venous return (TAPVR) are reported to have improved; however, mortality and morbidity are still high in the univentricles. This review was performed in order to demonstrate surgical results from TAPVR for recent years in a single institute. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A total of 53 patients with TAPVR underwent surgery between January 2000 and December 2008. Preoperative anatomy and hemodynamics were evaluated by 2-dimensional echocardiogram. We reviewed medical records on preoperative management, age, and body weight at time of surgery, postoperative mortality, and pulmonary venous obstruction. RESULTS: The study included 36 biventricle patients and 17 univentricle patients. Median age and weight at time of surgery were 26 days and 3.5 kg, respectively. During the mean follow up period of 48.2 months, a total of 11 deaths and 8 early deaths occurred. Postoperative pulmonary venous stenosis occurred in 8 patients. Among 36 biventricle patients, mortality occurred in 1 patient and postoperative pulmonary venous stenosis occurred in 6 patients. No statistical significances were observed between postoperative pulmonary venous stenosis and other factors. Among 17 univentricule patients, mortality was 10, including 7 early deaths, and postoperative pulmonary venous stenosis occurred in 2 patients. Combined palliations were modified Blalock-Taussig (BT) shunts in 7, pulmonary artery banding (PAB) in 3, bidirectional cavopulmonary shunt in 5, and the Fontan procedure in 1. The highest mortality was recorded in patients with a modified BT shunt (85.7%) and next in patients with PAB (66.6%). Mortality was not related to anatomy of TAPVR, nor preoperative obstruction, but with significant age and weight at time of surgery. CONCLUSION: Despite improvement in operative results from TAPVR, surgery in univentricles is highly risky, especially with low weight and early age, with concomitant palliation.

Use of an Amplatzer Vascular Plug to occlude a tubular type of patent ductus arteriosus / 소아과

Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is a common congenital heart defect. All PDAs, regardless of size or degree of symptoms, require occlusion. Transcatheter PDA occlusion features fewer complications than trans-thoracic closure. It is also more cost-effective and has an excellent occlusion rate. Therefore, transcatheter PDA occlusion is accepted as the standard treatment option for PDA. However, tubular-type PDAs are difficult to close with ordinary detachable coils or the Amplatzer Duct Occluder; thus, these lesions remain a challenge for transcatheter closure. We attempted to occlude a tubular-type PDA by using an oversized Amplatzer Vascular Plug, which allowed intraluminal packing of the ductus. By using this treatment method, PDA occlusion was achieved safely with an excellent final outcome. We suggest that this approach may be a good option for transcatheter closure of a tubular-type PDA.

Use of an Amplatzer Vascular Plug to occlude a tubular type of patent ductus arteriosus / 소아과

Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is a common congenital heart defect. All PDAs, regardless of size or degree of symptoms, require occlusion. Transcatheter PDA occlusion features fewer complications than trans-thoracic closure. It is also more cost-effective and has an excellent occlusion rate. Therefore, transcatheter PDA occlusion is accepted as the standard treatment option for PDA. However, tubular-type PDAs are difficult to close with ordinary detachable coils or the Amplatzer Duct Occluder; thus, these lesions remain a challenge for transcatheter closure. We attempted to occlude a tubular-type PDA by using an oversized Amplatzer Vascular Plug, which allowed intraluminal packing of the ductus. By using this treatment method, PDA occlusion was achieved safely with an excellent final outcome. We suggest that this approach may be a good option for transcatheter closure of a tubular-type PDA.

A survey of infant sleep positions associated with sudden infant death syndrome / 소아과

PURPOSE: As the prone position is thought to be an important factor in sudden infant death syndrome(SIDS), this study was conducted to contribute to reducing SIDS by analyzing sleeping positions of infants. METHODS: A face-to-face questionnaire was carried out with a total of 170 parents with a baby aged less than 6 months. RESULTS: A total of 170 infants included 95 males(55.9 percent) and 75 females(44.1 percent); their average age was 2.8 months. 45.3 percent slept in a supine position; 34.7 percent in a side or supine position; 7.1 percent in a side position; 4.7 percent in a prone position; 4.1 percent in a non-specific position. Among those in a side position, 59.7 percent were in a supine position in the morning; 19.5 percent were in the side position; 13.4 percent were in a non-specific position; and 4.1 percent were in a prone position. To the question why they slept in a specific position, 34.9 percent answered their baby slept comfortably, and particularly, 42.9 percent in the prone position group answered so. In the supine position group, 21.6 percent answered they had no reason. Both in the prone position and side position groups, 21 percent each answered they were worried about the shape of their baby's head. In the side position group, 22 percent answered that they had a fear of choking due to vomiting. In all sleeping position groups, 8.2 percent and 7.4 percent answered it was because they had a fear of suffocation and they wanted to avoid SIDS, respectively. CONCLUSION: Many of the parents preferred unstable positions, e.g. the side position and the prone position, which could cause SIDS. Their decision on their baby's sleeping position was not based on exact medical knowledge, but on convenience in taking care of their baby. As it was found that only 6 percent of the subjects were advised from their pediatrist about their baby's sleeping position, moreover, it is necessary to carry out more studies and activities for preventing SIDS caused by improper sleeping positions and educating patents about recommended sleeping positions for their baby.

A Case of Primary Syphilis in the Rectum

A 30-yr-old man was referred for suspicious rectal cancer because of ulcerated lesions in the rectum and a palpable mass in left inguinal area. Sigmoidoscopy showed two indurated masses and histologic evaluation of biopsy revealed obliterative endarteritis with heavy plasma cell infiltration. Both venereal disease research laboratories (VDRL) and fluorescent treponemal antibody absorption (FTA-ABS) tests were positive. After injection of penicillin G benzathine for 3 weeks, the rectal chancre and the palpable mass disappeared.

A Combination of Enuresis Alarm-desmopressin as a First Line in Monosymptomatic Nocturnal Enuresis / 대한비뇨기과학회지

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effectiveness of a combination of enuresis alarm-desmopressin compared with a desmopressin-based combined pharmacotherapy as the first line in monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis (MNE). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated 48 MNE children. Of these, 20 enuretic children were included in the alarm-desmopressin group (AD group) and 28 in the combination pharmacotherapy group (CP group). In the CP group, patients were given desmopressin based combination therapy with imipramine or oxybutynin for 6 months. In the AD group, patients were administered an enuresis alarm associated with an initial 3-month desmopressin combination. The response rates of each therapy were analyzed after 1, 3 and 6 months. After cessation of the 6 month treatment course, the initial and lasting cure rates were analyzed 1 and 6 month later. RESULTS: There was no differentiation in the baseline characteristics and drop-out rates between the two groups during treatment. The mean response rates in the AD and CP groups were 91.8 and 93.7%, respectively. The initial cure rate was higher in the AD (92.3%) than the CP group (52.4%) (p=0.024). The lasting cure rate was also higher in the AD (76.9%) than the CP group (33.3%) (p=0.032). Most of the relapses occurred within 2 month in the CP group and within 4 month in the AD group. CONCLUSIONS: In MNE, a combination of enuresis alarm-desmopressin showed a similar response rate, high initial and lasting cure rates, with a delayed relapse, compared with combination pharmacotherapy. Therefore, a combination of enuresis alarm-desmopressin can be considered a useful tool as the first line in MNE. (Korean J Urol 2005;46:19-24)

Initial and Intermediate-term Result of Transcatheter Closure of Patent Foramen Ovale Associated with Paradoxical Embolism Using the Amplatzer(R) PFO Occluder

PURPOSE: Paradoxical embolism due to the presence of patent foramen ovale(PFO) is a well-established possible mechanism of ischemic stroke of unknown origin, and the closure of PFO seems to be a kind of most effective method of the prevention of stroke recurrence. We report the initial and intermediate-term result of transcatheter closure of PFO associated with paradoxical embolism leading to cryptogenic transient ischemic attack or cerebrovascular accident using the Amplatzer(R) PFO Occluder. METHODS: From January 2003 through May 2005, 10 patients with PFO(4 male, 6 female) with history of at least 1 cryptogenic transient ischemic attack or cerebrovascular accident underwent percutaneous transcatheter closure of PFO using Amplatzer(R) occluder assisted by transesophageal echocardiography(TEE). All procedure were performed under general anesthesia and assisted by TEE. RESULTS: In all patients, the implantation procedure was successful and no significant complication was observed(in one case, peri-interventional ST-segment elevation observed). During the follow-up period of mean 13.1 months(range, 1-28 months), no recurrence of neurologic episode were observed and there was no residual shunt through PFO. CONCLUSION: We were able to implant the device without significant complication in all our patients and close PFO effectively. No recurrence of neurologic episode were observed. We conclude that in this initial and intermediate-term follow up, the transcatheter closure of PFO associated with paradoxical embolism using the Amplatzer(R) PFO Occluder is a safe and effective method in prevention of stroke recurrence and there is no significant adverse effect until now. And this procedure may be the treatment choice in patients with the high risk of recurrence ischemic attack. However, in this study, the number of patients included[5 patients(50%) had multiple thromboembolic events] is small and follow-up period is not long. So, we need more clinical cases and long-term clinical follow-up.