Single-center experience with the HELEX septal occluder for closure of atrial septal defects in children.

Catheter closure of atrial septal defects (ASDs) is an accepted procedure among pediatric cardiologists. We report our early experience with the newest of these devices in clinical trials in the United States. Between April and October 2001, 14 patients were enrolled in an FDA phase II multicenter trial comparing the results of ASD closure using the HELEX Septal Occluder to a surgical control group. Of the 14 patients, devices were placed and left in 13, one being removed for an excessive residual leak despite placing the largest device available. Of the remaining 13 patients, all patients had successful closure of their defects. An average of 1.8 devices/patient were deployed, reflecting the learning curve for this new device and new delivery style. Six devices were replaced because of excessive residual leaks, three for premature lock release, and two for improper seating of the device. There were no procedural complications, however, one patient required device removal 4 months postimplant for possible allergic reaction to nickel. The same patient had removal of stainless steel sternal wires for the same reason. At the 6-month follow-up, 11 of 13 patients had complete closure of the ASD, the other two having small, hemodynamically insignificant left to right shunts. In one of these patients, there was complete closure at the 12-month follow-up, whereas the other patient awaits the 1-year evaluation. Early experience at our institution has demonstrated the ease of use of this device, its complete retrievability, and excellent closure of small to moderate ASDs in children.