BACKGROUND: The Amplatzer® vascular plugs I and II (AVPs I and II) are low profile self-expandable devices made of nitinol, designed for vascular occlusions. We report our experience with these devices in two tertiary referral hospitals. METHODS: Retrospective study of patients undergoing vascular occlusion procedures with AVPs since 2005. The devices were 30%-50% larger than the target vessel, deployed under general anesthesia via femoral and internal jugular vein or femoral and brachial artery, and delivered through guiding catheters or 5 F to 8 F long sheaths. RESULTS: Fourteen patients (50% male) at a median age of 5 years (11 months to 70 years) and a median weight of 15 kg (8 kg to 67 kg) were identified. Seventeen AVPs were used: 2 AVPs II and 15 AVPs I, with a diameter ranging from 4 mm to 16 mm. In 3 patients with more than one vessel to occlude, 2 AVPs were implanted in each vessel. In 3 patients with coronary fistula total occlusion of the vessels occurred after 24 hours. In 2 patients with modified Blalock-Taussig shunts, there was total occlusion of the anastomosis, with the use of additional coils in one. In 3 patients with venovenous fistulas after Glenn or Fontan operations, there was complete occlusion of the vessels and improved saturation, with the use of additional coils in one. Another patient with venovenous fistula had mild residual shunt in the lab and total occlusion observed at echocardiographic monitoring within 24 hours. Two patients with multiple pulmonary arteriovenous malformations underwent closure using the AVP, other Amplatzer devices and Gianturco's coils, with minimal residual shunts in all cases. In 2 patients with systemic-pulmonary collaterals in the postoperative period of pulmonary atresia and VSD repair, there was complete occlusion with the aid of additional coils, one immediately after the procedure and the other within 24 hours. In one patient with scimitar syndrome the systemic collateral vessel was totally occluded. There was no embolization or death. CONCLUSIONS: The AVPs were appropriate and flexible devices for occlusion of different vascular sites, with easy deployment and good occlusion rates. Additional coils were required in some cases. In these cases, AVPs worked well to anchor the coils.
Heart defects, congenital; Blood vessel prosthesis implantation; Septal occluder device
