Interventional catheterization.

Several investigations have been performed to evaluate the mid-term results of coil embolization for patent ductus arteriosus. Excellent results were obtained with coils if the minimum diameter of the ductus was less than 4 mm. Balloon dilation of native coarctation and recoarctation may be associated with complications such as aneurysm formation. Stent placement may solve some of the problems of balloon dilation, but the stents currently available are not perfect. Results of transcatheter closure of atrial septal defect using new devices have been were reported. The self-expanding nitinol double-disk device (Amplatzer septal occluder) (AGA Medical Corporation, Golden Valley, Minnesota) is becoming popular because it is easy to implant, is easy to retrieve before its release, can occlude a relatively large defect, and has a low rate of residual leak. Although the immediate results with this device were excellent, surgical closure is still the standard treatment and we need to see the long-term results of transcatheter closure.