Initial experience in Brazil with the Helex septal occluder for percutaneous occlusion of atrial septal defects

ORIGINAL ARTICLE

Initial experience in Brazil with the Helex septal occluder for percutaneous occlusion of atrial septal defects

Carlos A.C. Pedra; Simone F. Pedra; César A. Esteves; Francisco Chamiê; Sérgio Ramos; Sérgio C. Pontes Jr; João Carlos Tress; Sérgio L. N. Braga; Larry A. Latson; Valmir F. Fontes

Instituto Dante Pazzanese de Cardiologia/CARPE - São Paulo, SP - Rio de Janeiro, RJ - Brazil

^{Correspondence}

ABSTRACT

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.

Key words: atrial septal defect, percutaneous occlusion, Helex septal occluder

In the last 10-15 years, major advances in the percutaneous treatment of atrial septal defects with the use of several occluding devices has occurred with progressive improvement in the results ^1-14. Because this approach currently provides excellent occlusive results with minimum morbidity and mortality in short and medium follow-up with obvious advantages regarding the surgical approach ^8-17, it is considered the method of choice for the treatment of selected patients in several medical centers around the world. However, some devices have not been widely accepted by interventionists because they possess characteristics far from those considered ideal ^1-7. The most commonly used, including in our group, are the Amplatzer Septal Occluder (AGA Medical Corporation, Golden Valley, MN) ^10-16 the CardioSEAL septal occluder and the STARFlex (Nitinol Medical Technologies, Boston, MA)^8,9. Recently, a new device, the Helex septal occluder (W.L. Gore and Associates, Flagstaff, AZ) was introduced for clinical use after encouraging results from experimental studies ¹⁸. We report herein the initial experience at 2 Brazilian centers with the new Helex device.

Methods

The Helex septal occluder is composed of a single flexible nitinol wire frame tridimensionally helically shaped, with a 0.012-inch diameter, covered with a thin polytetrafluoroethylene membrane (PTFE better known as Gore-Tex) (fig.1). For implantation, the frame is sealed in a central mandrel and pulled inside a delivery catheter (9F) (fig 1). As the device is extruded from the catheter, it assumes a helicoidal configuration (therefore the name Helex). It is composed of 2 flexible disks with round borders that are positioned through the hole within the septum. The Helex septal occluder is available on the market in 5 diameters, 15 to 35mm, in 5mm increments. Three small metal loops also called ''eyelets'' are found in the center of the disks, one more distal (outside the disk on the left side), one between the 2 disks, and another proximal, (outside the disk on the right side). Within the proximal waist is a retrieval cord made of polytetrafluoroethylene ^18,19.

The Helex septal occluder comes preshaped out of the 9Fr delivery catheter, connected to its components the mandrel, control or implant catheter, and the retrieval cord that runs parallel to the mandrel within the control catheter (fig.1), and this within the delivery catheter, forming a tri-coaxial implantation system. For device loading, the central mandrel must be sprung progressively to stretch the nitinol frame, enabling the device to be pulled by the controlling catheter inside the delivery catheter under the water seal. Saline solution injections are performed through a Y system connected in the proximal end of the catheter to carefully withdraw the air bubbles from the system. An extremely flexible 9Fr delivery catheter is supplied with radiopaque markers at its distal tip, and it is advanced within the short sheath, inserted in the femoral vein, reaching the right atrium, and maneuvered toward the left atrium through the atrial septal defect, without the need for using long sheaths and guidewires in the left atrium ^18,19.

Once positioned in the left atrium, incremental advancement of the control catheter and withdrawal of the mandrel results in configuration of the left atrial disk (fig. 2). When the left atrial portion of the device is completely formed, it is possible to observe a small central eyelet outside the tip of the delivery catheter. At this time, the left disk is positioned within the left atrium. The whole system is tractioned until the left disk reaches the interatrial septum (fig. 2). At this point, the operator feels a little resistance in the catheter and observes, on fluoroscopy the device moving during a heartbeat. Correct positioning must be confirmed through transesophageal echocardiography. If device prolapse occurs through the atrial septal defect, the distal disk may be recaptured, performing movements contrary to those described regarding the mandrel and the control catheter. The configuration of the right atrium disk is performed as follows: the position of the device near the septum is maintained through mild and constant traction in the mandrel. The right atrial portion of the device is exposed when the delivery catheter is pulled to the inferior vena cava, and the control catheter is advanced for reconfiguration of the right disk, documented by fluoroscopy (fig. 2). Positioning of the device, which must ''straddle'' the septum, is confirmed through echocardiography. If the positioning is not adequate, the device may be withdrawn inside the delivery catheter, pushing the mandrel and tractioning the control catheter within the delivery catheter, just as the device is loaded before its entrance into the body. If the positioning is satisfactory, the device will be released from the components of the system after it is locked into place. To do this, the delivery catheter is advanced again over the control catheter to stabilize the device next to the septum. A red retrieval cord cap (which tightens the retrieval cord) is removed from the proximal part (operator) and the control catheter is withdrawn around 1-2 cm inside the delivery catheter and advanced again to give some slack in the retrieval cord between the control catheter and the device. The mandrel is pulled definitively outside the system until a click is heard, which demands greater strength to finish the maneuver. This action results in the release of the tip of the nitinol frame, which leaves the control catheter and captures the proximal metallic eyelet of the right disk, locking the disks and the device in the interatrial septum. The delivery catheter is again withdrawn to the inferior cava to allow the occluder to be completely free in the septum, without any traction from the catheters (fig. 3). However, the device is still connected to the system through the retrieval cord. At this moment, final positioning and the presence and size of residual shunts are assessed by echocardiography. If the final position is not satisfactory, the device can still be removed from the septum. The red retrieval cord cap of the device is connected to the system to immobilize the retrieval cord. The control catheter is smoothly and constantly tractioned pulling the cord, which pulls the device inside the delivery catheter (fig. 4). The operator may see and feel the thin polytetrafluoroethylene membrane to be perforated by the hook that blocks the disks. The tactile sensation is similar to that of a tissue removal, previously sewn to another with the stitches falling apart. After the total device is withdrawn within the guide catheter, the device loses its special configuration, and it can no longer be used. Such a rescue maneuver from the device through the retrieval cord must be carefully performed to avoid resistance that could lead to a fracture in the cord and loss of connection with the device, and consequent embolization. If the device is well positioned, the retrieval cord should be released, advancing the delivery catheter to stabilize the device next to the septum and the control catheter should be carefully pulled taking with it the retrieval cord that is completely released from the proximal wire. Make sure the free end of the cord in the proximal end (from the operator) of the system is moving freely during this maneuver. When the control catheter and the retrieval cord are outside the delivery catheter, the device is finally free from any connection with the system ^18,19. As a general rule, the diameter of the occluder should be around 1.7 to 2 times the stretched diameter. Although the determination of the stretched diameter is important for selecting the appropriate Helex, it is not as crucial as it is with the Amplatzer^10,14, where its occlusive mechanism and its stability in the septum are dependent on its central portion, which is effectively inside the atrial septal defect and which must have a similar diameter to that stretched. The correlation between the size of the atrial septal defect in transesophageal echocardiography and the size of its stretched diameter depends on distensibility of the atrial septum, which may vary. Defects with similar diameters seen on echocardiography may have varied dimensions after stretching. Because the Helex has mechanisms different from those of the Amplatzer for fixation and stabilization in the septum, the diameter measured through echocardiography is as important as the stretched diameter. For example, a 12-mm central defect with a stretched diameter of 22 mm, can generally be occluded with a 30- or 35-mm Helex and should not be excluded from selection. In cases of patent foramen ovale without an atrial septum aneurysm, 20- or 25-mm prostheses are selected. In the presence of an aneurysm, prostheses of 30- and 35-mm are those most recommended.

Diagnosis of ostium secundum atrial septal defects (ASD) was performed based on clinical, radiographic, electrocardiographic, and echocardiographic findings by using transthoracic echocardiography. Detailed anatomic characteristics of the defects were determined by transesophageal echocardiography performed after transthoracic echocardiography according to already described protocols ²⁰. As the Helex device was used only for mild to moderate atrial septal defect occlusion in previous experimental and clinical studies ^18,19, we tried to select for this initial experience patients with ASDs 15- to 18-mm in diameter (at its longer axis), located in the center of the septum and with thick, broad rims. In adult patients with a history of transient stroke, the transesophageal echocardiographic study with injection of microbubbles and use of the Valsalva maneuver demonstrated significant passage of the microbubbles from right to left through foramen ovale. No other apparent cause for stroke was found after extensive neurological, cardiac, blood, and peripheral vascular investigation in these patients.

After venous puncture and introduction of small 9Fr sheaths, patients received heparin (100UI/kg, maximum 10,000UI). A routine cardiac catheterization with angiographic studies and collection of samples for oximetry was performed before the occlusion period. In patients with patent foramen ovale, angiography and collection of samples for oximetry were not performed. The stretched diameter was determined only in patients with atrial septal defects, using sizing balloons (AGA Medical Corporation) (24mm) with techniques similar to those already described^8-14. After determining the stretched diameter, the devices were selected and placed, following the steps described above. After final release of the device and angiographic, and echocardiographic evaluations, sheaths were withdrawn and hemostasis was obtained through manual compression. Patients recove red from anesthesia, were extubated in the catheterization laboratory, and then transferred to a recovery room.

The follow-up protocol required clinical evaluation with a chest X-ray and transthoracic echocardiography before hospital discharge. Patients were advised to take aspirin (dosage 3-5mg/kg/day; maximum 100mg) and to perform prophylaxis for infectious endocarditis for at least 6 months, according to the routine protocol after percutaneous closure of an atrial septal defect ^8-14. Follow-up was scheduled for 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after the procedure, with performance of transthoracic echocardiography at 1 and 6 months, and transesophageal echocardiography at 12 months. Fluoroscopy was routinely scheduled at 6 months to detect eventual fractures in the nitinol frame, or performed according to the individual need of each patient.

Due to the complexity of maneuvering the tri-coaxial system septal occluder device, 3 of the authors received specific practical training in animals at W. Gore and Associates in Flagstaff, AZ, USA, before the experience in human subjects started; this training was sponsored by the company.

This study was approved by the ethical committees at both institutions. Although the Helex septal occluder is legal in Europe, it was going through aproval procedures by the Brazilian legislation when this study took place, and it is predicted to be approved in the 2nd quarter of 2002. All patients or guardians gave written consent after a detailed explanation of the procedure and of the features of this new device was provided.

Regarding the statistical analysis, values were expressed as mean standard deviations or median with minimum and maximum values. Fisher's exact test was used to compare septal movement before and after the procedure. The ANOVA test was used to assess progressive decreases in right ventricle dimensions. The statistical significance level was determined as <0.05.

Results

Ten patients were selected for percutaneous occlusion of atrial septal defects with the Helex septal occluder under general anesthesia and transesophageal echocardiograph guidance, following already described protocols ^20,21. Seven patients had ostium secundum atrial septal defects with hemodynamic repercussions, and 3 patients had patent foramen ovale and a history of strokes. The mean age was 12.3±4.8 years old (5-17; median 14 years), and weight was 41.7±19.1 kg (20-63; median 45 kg) in patients with atrial septal defects (tab. I). In patients with patent foramen ovale, the mean age was 41 years old (median 40 years, and weight was 73.3 kg (median 72 kg) (tab. II). All patients with atrial septal defects were asymptomatic and were not taking medication. Patients with patent foramen ovale had experienced transient stroke episodes some months before the procedure and were taking aspirin or clopidogrel.

The mean diameter of the septal atrial defects in our patients was 11.3±3.3 mm (7.5-17 mm; median 10 mm) (tab. I). One patient with 2 ASDs (3.6 and 5mm) with a 12-mm distance between the holes was selected for the possible implantation of 2 devices, according to previous reports ^22,23. The smaller hole was in a postero-inferior position in the septum, near the inferior vena cava, and the other was in the antero-superior position behind the aortic torus. The mean of the stretched diameter was 15.2±3.8 mm, ranging from 12 to 20 mm in single atrial septal defects. In the patient with 2 holes, the stretched diameter from both ASDs was around 11-12 mm (fig. 5).

In all patients with atrial septal defects, the right ventricle was shown to be dilated on the transthoracic echocardiography, 2 standard deviations higher than normal, and the interventricular septum had abnormalities in its movements, demonstrating hemodynamic repercussions (tab. I).

All patients had normal pressure in the pulmonary artery (tab. II and ^III). In patients with atrial septal defects, the ratio Qp/Qs was 1.9±0.3, according to the Fick method, and angiographic studies confirmed the presence of defects and a normal pulmonary vein connection.

Implantation was successful in all cases. However, 3 patients required withdrawal of 4 devices before the final release due to technical problems related to implantation. In the first patient, a mandrel fracture occurred during opening of the left atrium disk due to inappropriate maneuvering of the system by the operator (^{tab. III}). The device was withdrawn within the delivery catheter and discarted. A new device with the same diameter was successfully placed uneventfully. In the 3rd patient, the retrieval cord was inadvertently tractioned together with the withdrawal of the mandrel after proper locking of the disks. There was traction of the device that was already well positioned in the interatrial septum leading to erasure of its configuration (^{tab. III}). With traction movements in the retrieval cord and rotation of the delivery catheter, the device was withdrawn toward the catheter inside the inferior vena cava and withdrawn outside the body without problems (fig. 4). A new device with the same diameter was successfully implanted. In the 4th patient, the operator did not maintain enough traction in the mandrel during the locking of the disks, leading them far from the interatrial septum, with an unsatisfactory final appearance. Using the retrieval cord, the device was withdrawn from the septum with erasure of is configuration and was withdrawn within the delivery catheter as already described. In a second attempt, accentuated tension in the mandrel was applied during locking of the disks, causing incomplete locking with the ''eyelet'' of the proximal disk excluded from the locking hook. Still connected in the retrieval cord, the device was dismantled, and retrieved from the body as previously described. A third device, with the same diameter (25 mm), was successfully implanted (^{tab. III}). In the other patients, the devices were implanted at the first attempt, without technical problems. In the patient with 2 ASDs, both devices were successfully implanted at the first attempt without problems. The inferior atrial septal defect was initially approached followed by the superior. The device used in the anterior-superior hole was greater than desirable because a smaller device was not available for implantation at that time. Thus, the superior part of the distal disk was in contact with the roof of the left atrium leading to mild prolapse towards its interior, but with satisfactory final results (fig. 6). In the 3 patients with patent foramen ovale, immediate echocardiography with microbubbles and Valsalva's maneuver (hyperinflation with ambu ± abdominal compression) was negative without passage of contrast from the right to the left side (tab. II). Immediate residual shunt was present in 4 patients with atrial septal defects in the catheterization laboratory (tab. IV). In these patients, the duration of the procedure varied from 1 to 3 hours, with a mean of 1.9±0.7 hours (tab. IV). In patients with patent foramen ovale, the mean duration of the procedure was even shorter (0.9h) (tab. II). All patients were extubated in the catheterization laboratory, transferred to the anesthesia recovery room, and then to the ward. Intensive care was not necessary for any of the patients. Complications due to the procedure did not occur during hospitalization. Transthoracic echocardiography demonstrated normalization of the septal movement in all patients with atrial septal defects the next morning. All patients were discharged the next day and returned for follow-up 1 month after the procedure.

A significant reduction in right ventricle diameter did not occur in the group of patients with atrial septal defects (final right ventricle diameter before the procedure, 24.3±4.5mm; at 24 hours, 22.5±3.6mm; at 1 month, 20 ± 3.6mm; P=0.17) (tab. IV). However, 5 patients had right ventricle dimensions within normal values for body surface at 1-month follow-up. In 1 patient (case 5), echocardiography revealed mild prolapse of the proximal disk into the right atrium without alterations in the local flow or adjacent structures (cava, coronary sinus, tricuspid valve), and without residual shunt, confirmed at fluoroscopy. In the patient where 2 devices were implanted (case 6), a 1-mm residual shunt was present in the superior portion of the inferior device and, the distal disk in the left atrium maintained the same initial configuration and positioning investigated by fluoroscopy. Another patient (case 2) had a 1-mm residual shunt (tab. IV). All patients were asymptomatic and had no evidence of arrhythmias on the electrocardiogram.

Discussion

Although this experience with the Helex septal occluder is limited, we noted of some features of this device that were close to the ideal ones ¹⁹, and its advantages and disadvantages over other devices. Because it does not require long sheaths for implantation, it minimizes the risk of an unintentional air embolism ¹⁹. Its profile is extremely low, facilitating rapid in-growth of new tissue, which occurs at around 1 month, according to experimental studies ¹⁸. Because the device is made of polytetrafluoroethylene, the long-term biocompatibility was not questioned ¹⁹. Its flexible nitinol frame and its round nonabrasive borders considerably minimize the risk of cardiac perforations ^18,19,23. The implantation system is controlled, and it may be recaptured and repositioned before its final deployment. Even after locking of the disks, the device is still attached to the system through a thin retrieval cord made of Gore-Tex. It is possible to assess the device's position in the atrial septum, without any tension on the delivery systems. This feature is only found in this device. Because it is very flexible and has an atraumatic contour, its rescue, in case of embolism, is safer, and with low risk of damage to the cardiac or vascular structures ^18,19,23. However, some disadvantages make its use more limited: the implantation technique is not so simple, requiring special training of the operator. Even so, experienced operators who are familiar with percutaneous occlusion of atrial septal defects may make technical mistakes during the initial learning curve, as occurred during our experience. However, because of the features of the device and the implantation system, the problems resulting from these mistakes were easily dealt with, putting neither the well-being of patients nor the success of the procedure in jeopardy. A current technical limitation of this device is the locking system between the 2 disks, which still requires simplification and greater operator experience to operate, as seen in 2 of our patients. Because its maximum diameter is 35mm, only small to moderate defects can be approached with such a device ¹⁹. Although the device is not self-centered during implantation, this feature may be advantageous in cases of multiple close atrial septal defects or of a fenestrated septum that may be occluded with a single device^8,9,19,23. Distant defects may need 2 devices as was seen in our study and in other experiences ²³. In these cases, the Helex's low profile is an advantage because it results in less intracardiac material. Patients with atrial septal defects associated with septal aneurysms with thin, highly flexible borders, also benefit from the stability mechanism in the septum, which does not depend on the determination of the stretched diameter, also observed with the CardioSEAL and STARFlex ^8,9,18,19. As polytetrafluoroethylene is a hydrophobic material and is not filled with water, echocardiographic views of the device are not very accurate, but this does not hinder the implantation procedure. Its cost is similar to that of other devices available on the market (Amplantzer, CardioSEAL, STARFlex), which is still a limiting factor in our country.

Although this is still an initial experience, we consider the results obtained satisfactory regarding the safety and efficiency of this device. International experience based on a greater number of cases also corroborates this impression. As the clinical use was only started in December 2000 in Glasgow, Scotland, no articles are available reporting the results of parge series of patients undergoing implantation with this device, only abstracts of congresses ^24-27. Thus far, the Helex has been used in Europe, which has a less strict legislation for the use of such devices. A phase I study has been conducted in the USA to determine the safety and efficiency of its use in human beings. Data below were obtained from the international record controlled by the company that makes the device, and refer to ostium secundum atrial septal defects (Dr. Larry A. Latson, personal communication, São Paulo, Brazil, March 2002). Of 266 implantation attempts, in 21 cases (7.9%) the procedure was abandoned with removal of all devices in the catheterization laboratory. Of the 245 successful cases (92.1%), 68% were performed in females, median age was 9 years old (1 to 74 years old) and the median weight was 33 kg (7.6 to 131kg). The mean diameter (not stretched) determined by transesophageal echocardiography was 13mm, ranging from 4.5 to 21mm. The occlusion rate was 95% after a 1-year follow-up, with no patient experiencing significant shunting, requiring reintervention. No significant immediate or late mortality or morbidity occurred related to the procedure. No clinical episodes suggestive of stroke or systemic thrombosis were observed. Late arrhythmias did not occur. However, fractures in the nitinol frame were noticed in 8.5% of the cases, with all patients being asymptomatic, without clinical complications due to this occurrence. In only 1 patient was late withdrawal of the device the option. Embolism of the device occurred in 6 cases (2.5%), all retrieved in the catheterization laboratory, with no need for surgery and clinical complications. As we have seen in our initial experience and in the international cohorts, the use of the Helex septal occluder is safe and efficient for the closure of mild to moderate atrial septal defects.

Regarding patent foramen ovale occlusion in patients with a history of strokes, some considerations are necessary. Foramen ovale is not a atrial septal defect, but a valve that may open in special circumstances, with an increase in pressure in the right cavities, enabling flow from the right to the left ^28-30 atrium. Epidemiologic studies demonstrate that the occurrence of foramen ovale is more common in patients with stroke without a definitive cause (cryptogenic stroke) than in the general population (60% vs 10-25%) ^31-33. This association suggests that patent foramen ovale acts as a cardiac anatomic substrate for a probable paradoxical embolization, although this is not strong enough to define a causal correlation. When an atrial septum aneurysm is present, this association is even stronger ^33,34. The treatment of this disease is based on secondary prophylaxis of recurrent episodes of stroke and anti-coagulant and/or platelet antiaggregants are usually administered, with no consensus regarding the best scheme ^35-37. Surgical occlusion has been sporadically reported in the literature ^38,39, with recurrence rates similar to those found with clinical treatment (3-5%) However, it has intrinsic disadvantages because it is an invasive procedure with significant morbidity, especially regarding thoracotomy and extracorporeal circulation. With the advent and improvement of devices for occlusion of atrial septal defects, these patients have also been successfully treated in the catheterization laboratory ^40-44. Despite the absence of prospective and randomized studies in the literature, comparing clinical treatment with anticoagulants and percutaneous closure of atrial septal defects, longitudinal studies from series of patients suggest that percutaneous treatment is, at least, as effective as clinical treatment, decreasing the recurrence rate to around 2-4% per year ^41-45. Furthermore, taking into account the intention to treat it is probably more effective because it is permanent, since many patients discontinue anticoagulant treatment after some time. Morbidity from the procedure also seems to be smaller when compared with the chances of significant episodes of bleeding with the chronic use of anticoagulants ^36,37. The Amplatzer and CardioSEAL are the devices that have been more commonly used for the percutaneous occlusion of patent foramen ovale ^43-45. Recent studies ^43,44 have demonstrated the use of the Helex septal occluder for this purpose with excellent results and lower rates of failure or complications. The advantages of its properties are the basis for its use in the percutaneous treatment of ASD, demonstrated in our study. Closure rates above 95% are observed with the most commonly used devices ^41-45. The absence of residual shunt, observed in the 3 patients with patent foramen ovale in our study, is a predictive factor of lower rates of annual recurrences, about 1% ⁴⁵.

In conclusion, we have had an encouraging initial experience with the Helex device for percutaneous occlusion of atrial septal defect. Although some adjustments in its locking mechanism and special training for the operator are required, its features make it extremely useful for the treatment of select patients with mild to moderate atrial septal defects. Studies with a larger number of patients and with longer follow-up are necessary to better define the role of the Helex in the percutaneous closure of atrial septal defects and of patent foramen ovale.

Addendum - After this article was accepted for publication, another 2 procedures were performed for patent foramen ovale occlusion in patients with a history of stroke. In both cases, the defect was successfully occluded in the catheterization laboratory. In 1 case, device withdrawal was required before its final release for the placement of another with a larger diameter that could be better positioned in the atrial septum. None of the patients with patent foramen ovale has experienced new episodes of stroke after implantation in an 8-month follow-up. In the 2 patients with atrial septal defect who had residual shunts at the initial clinical visits, complete occlusion was demonstrated by transesophageal echocardiography performed during the clinical visit 6 months after implantation.

Acknowledgments

To W. Gore and Associates for technical support offered during the procedures.

Received 7/1/02

Accepted 4/14/03

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Publication Dates

• Publication in this collection
  01 Dec 2003
• Date of issue
  Nov 2003

History

• Received
  01 July 2002
• Accepted
  14 Apr 2003