PFO closure with only fluoroscopic guidance: 7 years real‐world single centre experience

Abstract

In our experience Fluoro-G PFO closure was performed mainly in cases of simple anatomy, with similar results in terms of safety and efficacy compared to Echo-G cases. Both fluoroscopy and total procedural times were lower in the Fluo-G cases.

Angiography vs transesophageal echocardiography‐guided patent foramen ovale closure: A propensity score matched analysis of a two‐center registry

“…Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) guidance also allowed a reduction in radiological exposure, both expressed in time of fluoroscopy and dose‐area product. This finding is in contrast to recently published data showing lower fluoroscopy time in angiography‐guided vs TEE‐guided procedures (7.6 ± 6 vs 10.6 ± 8 minutes). Of note, this study reported higher time of exposure, overall and in each subgroup, if compared to our results .…”

“…This finding is in contrast to recently published data showing lower fluoroscopy time in angiography‐guided vs TEE‐guided procedures (7.6 ± 6 vs 10.6 ± 8 minutes). Of note, this study reported higher time of exposure, overall and in each subgroup, if compared to our results . Another study, on the contrary, confirms our results with even lower mean total fluoroscopic time of 3.4 ± 1.9 minutes .…”

“…The technical strategy for closure, however, remains an issue: Many studies have demonstrated that the fluoroscopic guidance is sufficient to drive the procedure, while others support the use of echocardiographic guidance . The latter is easily and safely performed by experienced operators and adds valuable information to the interventional cardiologist without significant adjunctive costs.…”

“…The “gold‐standard” procedural guidance technique, however, remains an issue. Some studies demonstrate that the angiographic guidance is sufficient to drive the procedure, while others support the use of transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) guidance as an additional tool to increase safety and efficacy. Intracardiac echocardiography allows a simplified procedure, even if more expensive and requiring a second vascular access.…”

Transcatheter Patent Foramen Ovale Closure Guided Only by Transesophageal Echocardiography Without fluoroscopy

“…Interventional PFO closure is usually performed using fluoroscopy and transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) guidance. Some experienced interventional cardiologists even perform PFO closure using fluoroscopy navigation only [7,8]. However, standby of TEE is necessary for any PFO closure in case of some cases with complicated anatomy of PFO.…”