Gone with wind: a novel biodegradable occluder for percutaneous closure of patent foramen ovale

A 42-year-old man with a history of cryptogenic stroke and sequela free after medical therapy was found to have a patent foramen ovale (PFO) by transoesophageal echocardiography (TEE,Panel A, arrowhead indicates the PFO; Ao, aorta; LA, left atrium; RA, right atrium). Given a RoPE score of 7, he was referred for percutaneous PFO closure. A 24  mm × 24 mm fully biodegradable occluder (Pancy® occluder, ChiCTR1900024036,Panel E, arrowhead indicates marker) was delivered and deployed via a 10-Fr sheath (Mallow® delivery system) under florescent angiography and TEE (Panel B, arrowhead indicates the marker on occluder while deploying;Panel C, arrowheads indicate the discs in atria, arrow indicates delivery sheath). Transthoracic echocardiography showed the occluder in place 1 day after procedure (Panel F, arrowhead indicates occluder). The occluder started degradation 3  months post-implantation and was mostly degraded in 6 months (Panels G andH, arrowhead indicates the profile of occluder). A complete arterial septum without identical occluder was observed in 12 months of follow-up (Panel I, arrowhead indicates arterial septum). Neither complications nor residual shunting was observed during follow-up. The patient did not claim new-onset stroke till the report.
Source: European Heart Journal - Category: Cardiology Source Type: research