Amplatzer Patent Foramen Ovale Occluder: Safety and Efficacy.

Amplatzer Patent Foramen Ovale Occluder: Safety and Efficacy. Expert Rev Med Devices. 2019 Feb 09;: Authors: Madhkour R, Wahl A, Praz F, Meier B Abstract INTRODUCTION: The patent foramen ovale (PFO) is a common anatomical variant in humans (prevalence 25%). Most often asymptomatic, it may engender paradoxically embolic strokes, myocardial infarctions, or visceral or peripheral ischemia. It is causatively related to migraine, positional or exertional hypoxemia with dyspnea, diving incidents, high altitude edema, and sleep apnea. Percutaneous closure of atrial septal defects was first performed in the seventies. A dedicated PFO occluder (Amplatzer PFO Occluder) was first used on September 10, 1997 by Kurt Amplatz and Bernhard Meier. Since, percutaneous PFO closure has evolved to one of the most common and the simplest and safest catheter-based intervention in adult cardiology. Randomized studies have proved its benefit for prevention of recurrent ischemic events (particularly strokes) in patients without competing stroke etiology. There are also supportive clinical data for PFO closure in other situations. Areas covered: The Amplatzer PFO Occluder, the first, most implanted, and best-studied PFO occluder, is reviewed, presenting implantation technique, possible complications, and pertinent scientific data of efficacy and safety. Expert opinion: Percutaneous PFO closure has grown to one of the most common procedures in interventional ca...
Source: Expert Review of Medical Devices - Category: Medical Devices Tags: Expert Rev Med Devices Source Type: research