INTRODUÇÃO: A formação de trombos no apêndice atrial esquerdo (AAE) constitui a principal causa de fenômenos tromboembólicos em pacientes com fibrilação atrial (FA). A anticoagulação oral é considerada terapia de primeira linha na prevenção de tromboembolismo associado à FA. Apesar de comprovada eficácia, a terapia com anticoagulantes orais está associada a inúmeras limitações. A oclusão percutânea do AAE surgiu como uma nova estratégia para prevenção de acidentes vasculares cerebrais em pacientes com FA considerados de alto risco e não candidatos a tratamento com anticoagulantes. MÉTODOS: Relatamos a experiência inicial da oclusão percutânea do AAE utilizando o novo dispositivo AmplatzerTM Cardiac Plug (ACP - AGA Medical Corp., Golden Valley, Estados Unidos) em pacientes com FA e escore CHADS2 > 2, não elegíveis à terapêutica com anticoagulantes. Os procedimentos foram realizados sob anestesia geral e monitoração por ecocardiografia transesofágica tridimensional em tempo real. RESULTADOS: Três pacientes do sexo masculino, com média de idade de 79 anos e escores CHADS2 2, 3 e 5, foram submetidos a implante do dispositivo por via transeptal sem complicações, resultando em oclusão imediata do AAE e alta hospitalar após dois dias. No seguimento de 50 dias, todos os pacientes se apresentavam bem clinicamente e a ecocardiografia transtorácica confirmou oclusão total do AAE e ausência de complicações. CONCLUSÕES: A oclusão percutânea do AAE com ACP parece ser uma alternativa terapêutica atrativa na prevenção de eventos tromboembólicos em pacientes com FA e contraindicações ou limitações para anticoagulação oral.

BACKGROUND: Thrombus formation in the left atrial appendage (LAA) is the main cause of thromboembolic events in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AF). Oral anticoagulants are considered first-line therapy for stroke prevention in AF patients. Despite its proven efficacy, long-term oral anti-coagulation is associated to innumerous limitations. Percutaneous LAA closure has emerged as a new strategy for stroke prevention in high risk AF patients who are not candidates for long term oral anticoagulation therapy. METHODS: We report the initial experience with percutaneous occlusion of the LAA using the new AmplatzerTM Cardiac Plug (ACP - AGA Medical Corp., Golden Valley, USA) in patients with AF and CHADS2 score > 2 who were not eligible for anti-coagulation therapy. Procedures were carried out under general anesthesia and 3D transesophageal echocardiography monitoring in real time. RESULTS: Three male patients, mean age of 79 years and CHADS2 2, 3 and 5 scores had the device successfully implanted using a transeptal approach with no complications, resulting in immediate LAA occlusion and hospital discharge two days later. At the 50-day follow-up, all patients were clinically well with complete LAA occlusion and no complications at transthoracic echocardiography. CONCLUSIONS: Percutaneous LAA occlusion with the new ACP seems to be an attractive alternative to prevent thromboembolic events in patients with AF and contraindications or limitations for anticoagulation therapy.

INTRODUÇÃO: O forame oval patente ocorre em 27% a 30% da população e pode estar associado a eventos embólicos, dentre eles o acidente vascular cerebral criptogênico. A prótese PREMERE TM, especialmente desenvolvida para a correção do forame oval patente, apresenta baixo perfil, reduzida quantidade de metal e âncora no lado esquerdo, com reduzida superfície para minimizar o risco de formação de trombos. Avaliamos os resultados clínicos e ecocardiográficos imediatos e aos três e seis meses pósimplante do dispositivo. MÉTODO: Entre maio de 2008 e junho de 2009, a prótese foi implantada em 14 pacientes com forame oval patente e que apresentaram eventos embólicos cerebrais prévios, comprovados por tomografia computadorizada e/ou ressonância nuclear magnética de crânio. O diagnóstico ecocardiográfico de forame oval patente foi realizado quando microbolhas eram detectadas no átrio esquerdo, dentro de três ciclos cardíacos após a opacificação do átrio direito. Foram excluídos os portadores de forame oval patente com aneurisma do septo interatrial > 2 cm, e os pacientes com fibrilação/flutter atrial ou com outras afecções que explicassem o acidente vascular cerebral criptogênico. RESULTADOS: Nove (64,3%) pacientes eram do sexo masculino e a média das idades foi de 47,2 ± 17,5 anos. Observou-se sucesso do implante em 100% dos casos. O ecocardiograma transesofágico logo após o procedimento evidenciou a presença de microbolhas no átrio esquerdo, com a manobra de Valsalva, em 50% dos casos. Todos os pacientes receberam alta hospitalar no dia seguinte, em uso de ácido acetilsalicílico 200 mg/dia e clopidogrel 75 mg/dia, e retornaram com três meses para acompanhamento clínico e ecocardiográfico. O ecocardiograma transesofágico aos três meses eviden ciou discreto fluxo residual em apenas 3 (21,4%) pacientes. Esses pacientes apresentaram forame oval patente totalmente ocluído no ecocardiograma transesofágico realizado aos seis meses. Nenhum dos pacientes apresentou eventos cardiovasculares durante o período de observação. CONCLUSÃO: A prótese PREMERE TM demonstrou ser um dispositivo seguro e eficaz na oclusão do forame oval patente. A taxa de oclusão nesta experiência inicial foi elevada para um período de observação de seis meses.

BACKGROUND: Patent foramen ovale is observed in 27% to 30% of the population and may be associated to embolic events, among them the cryptogenic stroke. The PREMERE TM device, specially developed to correct patent foramen ovale, has a low profile, reduced amount of metal and a left anchor with a small total surface to minimize the risk of thrombus formation. Clinical and echocardiographic results were evaluated immediately after the procedure and 3 and 6 months after device implantation. METHOD: From May 2008 to June 2009, the device was implanted in 14 patients with patent foramen ovale with prior cerebral embolic events, confirmed by computerized tomography and/or cranial magnetic resonance imaging. Echocardiographic patent foramen ovale was diagnosed when microbubbles were detected in the left atrium within three heartbeats after opacification of the right atrium. Patients with patent foramen ovale with interatrial septal aneurysm > 2 cm, those with atrial fibrilation/flutter or with other diseases that might explain the cryptogenic stroke were excluded. RESULTS: Nine (64.3%) patients were male and mean age was 47.2 ± 17.5 years. Successful implantation was achieved in 100% of the cases. Transesophageal echocardiogram immediately after the procedure showed the presence of microbubbles in the left atrium with Valsalva maneuver in 50% of the cases. All of the patients were discharged the following day, receiving acetyl salicylic acid 200 mg/day and clopidogrel 75 mg/day and returned after 3 months for clinical and echocardiographic follow-up. The transesophageal echocardiogram at three months showed a mild residual flow in only 3 (21.4%) patients. These patients had a totally occluded patent foramen ovale at the 6-month follow-up transesophageal echocardiogram. None of the patients had cardiovascular events during the follow-up period. CONCLUSION: The PREMERE TM device proved to be safe and effective in the occlusion of patent foramen ovale. The occlusion rate in this initial experience was high for a follow-up period of 6 months.

INTRODUÇÃO: O tratamento percutâneo da comunicação interatrial tipo ostium secundum é a modalidade terapêutica de escolha em mais de 80% dos casos. Várias próteses encontram-se disponíveis para tal finalidade. Relatamos nossa experiência com a oclusão percutânea da comunicação interatrial com a prótese Figulla (Occlutech, Praga, República Tcheca), avaliando a segurança e a eficácia do método. MÉTODO: De abril de 2008 a março de 2010, foram realizados 25 procedimentos em dois centros de referência em 25 pacientes não-consecutivos (mediana de idade de 22 anos e de peso de 60 kg) sob anestesia geral e monitoração pela ecocardiografia transesofágica. Do total de comunicações interatriais, 23 eram únicas, com diâmetro médio de 17,5 ± 9,4 mm, e 2 eram múltiplas. Em um paciente foi necessário o uso de duas próteses em duas comunicações interatriais distantes. O diâmetro médio das próteses foi de 20,8 ± 7,4 mm, implantadas por bainhas longas de 9 F a 14 F pela veia femoral. RESULTADOS: Houve sucesso no implante em todos os casos. Em um caso houve embolização logo após a liberação, com resgate do dispositivo da aorta descendente seguido de novo implante. O seguimento médio foi de 12 meses e o índice de oclusão foi de 100%. Não houve complicações tardias. CONCLUSÃO: Nessa experiência inicial, a oclusão percutânea da comunicação interatrial com a prótese Figulla foi um procedimento de fácil execução, seguro e altamente eficaz.

BACKGROUND: Percutaneous treatment of ostium secundum atrial septal defect is the preferred therapy in over 80% of cases. Several devices are available for this purpose. We report our experience with the percutaneous closure of atrial septal defect with the Figulla device (Occlutech, Prague, Czech Republic) assessing the safety and efficacy of the procedure. METHOD: From April 2008 to March 2010, 25 procedures were performed in 2 reference centers in 25 non-consecutive patients (median age 22 years and median weight 60 kg) under general anesthesia and transesophageal echocardiographic monitoring. Atrial septal defects were single in 23 cases and multiple in 2 cases and had a mean diameter of 17.5 ± 9.4 mm. In one patient it was necessary to use two devices in two distant atrial septal defects. The mean diameter of the devices was 20.8 ± 7.4 mm and they were implanted through 9-14 F long sheaths in the femoral vein. RESULTS: Successful implantation was observed in all cases. In one case, there was embolization immediately after device release. The device was retrieved from the descending aorta followed by implantation of a new device. The mean follow-up was 12 months and the occlusion rate was 100%. There were no late complications. CONCLUSION: In this initial experience, percutaneous occlusion of the atrial septal defect with the Figulla device was easy to perform, safe and highly effective.

INTRODUÇÃO: O tratamento percutâneo da comunicação interventricular (CIV) congênita vem sendo realizado com bons resultados nos últimos 10 anos. Relatamos nossa experiência com a oclusão percutânea da CIV muscular congênita com próteses Amplatzer, avaliando exeqüibilidade, segurança e eficácia do método. MÉTODO: No período de setembro de 2002 a dezembro de 2007, foram realizados 9 procedimentos em múltiplos centros em 8 pacientes não-consecutivos (mediana de idade de 6 anos e de peso de 26 kg), sob anestesia geral e monitoração pela ecocardiografia transesofágica. Todas as CIVs eram únicas (7 na região trabecular média e 1 na porção anterior) e tinham diâmetro médio de 6,0 ± 2,1 mm. Houve embolização imediata de um dispositivo com resgate percutâneo. O procedimento foi repetido com sucesso após um ano. Todos os casos restantes foram realizados com sucesso, sem complicações maiores. O índice de oclusão foi de 100% no seguimento. CONCLUSÃO: Nessa pequena série de pacientes, a oclusão percutânea da CIV muscular congênita única com próteses Amplatzer foi um procedimento de fácil execução, seguro e altamente eficaz.

BACKGROUND: Percutaneous treatment of muscular ventricular septal defects (VSD) has been performed with good results in the last 10 years. We report our experience with the percutaneous closure of congenital muscular VSDs with Amplatzer devices assessing the feasibility, safety and efficacy of the procedure. METHODS: From 9/2002 to 12/ 2007, 9 procedures were performed in multiple centers in 8 non-consecutive patients (median age: 6 years; median weight: 26 kg) under general anesthesia and transesophageal echocardiographic monitoring. All VSDs were single (7 in the trabecular region and 1 anterior) and had a mean diameter of 6.0 ± 2.1 mm. There was one device embolization with immediate percutaneous device retrieval. This procedure was successfully repeated after a year. The other cases were completed successfully without major complications. The rate of complete closure was 100% at follow-up. CONCLUSION: In this small series of patients, percutaneous closure of congenital single muscular VSD was relatively easy to perform, safe and highly effective.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the initial clinical experience with the Helex septal occluder for percutaneous closure of atrial septal defects. METHODS: Ten patients underwent the procedure, 7 patients with ostium secundum atrial septal defects (ASD) with hemodynamic repercussions and 3 patients with pervious foramen ovale (PFO) and a history of stroke. Mean age was 33.8 years and mean weight was 55.4 kg. Mean diameter by transesophageal echocardiography and mean stretched ASD diameter were 11.33 ± 3.3mm, and 15.2 ± 3.8mm, respectively. The Qp/Qs ratio was 1.9 ± 0.3 in patients with ASD. RESULTS: Eleven occluders were placed because a patient with 2 holes needed 2 devices. It was necessary to retrieve and replace 4 devices in 3 patients. We observed immediate residual shunt (< 2mm) in 4 patients with ASD, and in those with patent foramen ovale total occlusion of the defect occurred. No complications were noted, and all patients were discharged on the following day. After 1 month, 2 patients with ASD experienced trivial residual shunts (1mm). In 1 patient, we observed mild prolapse in the proximal disk in the right atrium, without consequences. CONCLUSION: The Helex septal occluder was safe and effective for occluding small to moderate atrial septal defects. Because the implantation technique is demanding, it requires specific training of the operator. Even so, small technical failures may occur in the beginning of the learning curve, but they do not involve patient safety.

OBJECTIVE: To report short and midtem follow-up results of balloon aortic valvuloplasty to treat congenital aortic stenosis. METHODS: Seventy-five patients (median age: 8 years) underwent the procedure through the retrograde femoral or carotid route. RESULTS: The procedure was completed in 74 patients (98.6%). The peak-to-peak systolic gradient dropped from 79.6±27.7 to 22.3±17.8 mmHg (P<0.001), the left ventricular systolic pressure dropped from 164±39.1 to 110±24.8 mmHg (P<0.001), and the left ventricular end diastolic pressure dropped from 13.3±5.5 to 8.5±8.3 mmHg (P< 0.01). Four patients (5.3%) died due to the procedure. Aortic regurgitation (AoR) appeared or worsened in 27/71 (38%) patients, and no immediate surgical intervention was required. A mean follow-up of 50±38 months was obtained in 37 patients. Restenosis and significant AoR were observed in 16.6% of the patients. The estimates for being restenosis-free and for having significant AoR in 90 months were 60% and 50%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Aortic valvuloplasty was considered the initial palliative method of choice in managing congenital aortic stenosis, with satisfactory short- and midterm results.

We report new percutaneous techniques for perforating the pulmonary valve in pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum, in 3 newborns who had this birth defect. There was mild to moderate hypoplastic right ventricle, a patent infundibulum, and no coronary-cavitary communications. We succeeded in all cases, and no complications related to the procedure occurred. The new coaxial radiofrequency system was easy to handle, which simplified the procedure. Two patients required an additional source of pulmonary flow (Blalock-Taussig shunt) in the first week after catheterization. All patients had a satisfactory short-term clinical evolution and will undergo recatheterization within 1 year to define the next therapeutic strategy. We conclude that this technique may be safely and efficiently performed, especially when the new coaxial radiofrequency system is used, and it may become the initial treatment of choice in select neonates with pulmonary atresia and intact ventricular septum.

OBJETIVO: Analisar a experiência inicial no fechamento percutâneo da comunicação interatrial ostium secundum (CIA OS) com a prótese de Amplatzer. MÉTODOS: Sete pacientes foram submetidos ao procedimento através da via venosa anterógrada, orientados pela ecocardiografia transesofágica (ETE) e sob anestesia geral. Uma criança era portadora de 2 CIA e de canal arterial (CA). As CIA medidas pelo ETE variaram de 8,7 a 20mm. Um ecocardiograma transtorácico foi realizado na manhã seguinte do procedimento. RESULTADOS: Oito próteses foram implantadas nos 7 pacientes com sucesso. Em um paciente, o CA foi ocluído na mesma sessão com mola de Gianturco, tendo surgido taquicardia supraventricular durante a oclusão de uma das CIA, controlada com adenosina. Todos receberam alta hospitalar na manhã seguinte, com oclusão total dos defeitos. CONCLUSÃO: O procedimento mostrou-se seguro, eficaz e versátil, podendo ser considerado como uma alternativa terapêutica inicial em pacientes selecionados com CIA OS.

PURPOSE: To evaluate our initial experience with percutaneous closure of secundum type atrial septal defects (ASD) with the Amplatzer septal occluder. METHODS: Seven patients underwent occlusion by anterograde approach, under general anesthesia and transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) guidance. One child had 2 ASD and a patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). The ASD size ranged from 8,7 to 20mm as measured by TEE. A transthoracic echocardiogram was performed in the morning after the procedure. RESULTS: Eight devices were successfully implanted in 7 patients and the PDA was occluded with a Gianturco coil at the same session. In this patient, there was an episode of supraventricular tachycardia during the occlusion of one ASD which was reverted with adenosin. All patients were discharged the day after, with complete occlusion of all defects. CONCLUSION: The procedure is safe, effective and versatile. It can be applied as an initial alternative to the treatment of selected patients with ASD.