Snare-assisted Amplatzer ASD device placement is a new method for ASD percutaneous closure and adds safety to the procedure.

A 64-year-old woman with a history of coronary artery bypass and coronary angioplasty with unexpanded stent entrapment blocked in the circumflex coronary artery and left main is now presenting with crescendo angina pectoris. The Department of Cardiovascular Surgery established that a new surgical intervention presents a very high risk. In this condition, we decide for elective percutaneous coronary intervention for stent restenosis, which is a very difficult procedure in the particular condition of unexpanded stent blocked in the circumflex coronary artery and left main.

Secundum atrial septum defect (ASD) is the most common congenital heart disease. It is usually treated by a transcatheter approach using a femoral venous access. In case of bilateral femoral vein occlusion, the internal jugular venous approach for ASD closure is an option, in particular in cases where ASD balloon occlusion test and sizing is needed. Here, we report on a new technique for ASD closure using a venous-arterial circuit from the right internal jugular vein to the femoral artery. Two patients (females, 4 and 10 years of age) had occlusion of both femoral veins because of a previous history of pulmonary atresia and intact ventricular septum, for which they underwent percutaneous radiofrequency perforation and balloon angioplasty. These subjects needed balloon occlusion test of a residual ASD to size the hole and to check for hemodynamic suitability to ASD closure. After performing a venous-arterial circuit, a 24 mm St Jude ASD sizing balloon catheter was advanced over the circuit and the defect closed for 15 min to check hemodynamics and size the defect. ASD was closed is hemodinamically suitable. This technique was safe and reliable. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) transcatheter closure is a widespread procedure. However in some cases PDA measurements may be unclear and choice of the proper device could be quite difficult. This may happen in large PDA and in particular in adults. We have developed a new technique using an ASD sizing balloon to measure the PDA in order to better understand PDA anatomy and size. The first step is to create an artero-venous circuit across the PDA. A 24 or a 34 mm Amplatzer balloon sizing for ASD closure is placed over the wire from the venous access in the descending aorta. Then, the balloon is inflated and gently pulled back across the PDA toward the pulmonary artery. The frame where the balloon is exactly across the PDA is chosen and measurements performed. In conclusion, a new method for PDA measurement in large PDA is reported. The procedure is safe and reliable. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.