Spiral Occlusion Device Promotes Closure of Vascular Defect

A novel percutaneous closure device has been specifically designed to occlude patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) heart defects.

The Nit-Occlud PDA system is a permanently implanted prosthesis indicated for percutaneous, transcatheter closure of small to moderate size PDA defects with a minimum angiographic diameter of less than 4 mm. The device is delivered percutaneously, and can be repositioned as needed before final deployment. The spiral device is comprised of an outer nitinol coil wire wound around an inner one; the coil self-expands when unsheathed, plugging the gap, and preventing the blood from mixing. Tissue growth over the implant eventually allows it to become part of the pulmonary artery.


The Nit-Occlud PDA system is available in three different types and a broad variety of sizes. The two primary benefits of the device are that the coil occluder has a stiffness gradient, increasing from the pulmonary to aortal side, thus allowing the coil to conform to uniquely varying anatomy; secondly, the spiral shape of the coil also ensures the occluder can be implanted accurately and easily. The Nit-Occlud PDA system is a product of pfm medical (Köln, Germany), and has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

PDA is a congenital disorder in the heart wherein a neonate's ductus arteriosus fails to close, remaining patent (open), thus allowing part of the oxygenated blood from the left heart to return to the lungs by flowing from the aorta to the pulmonary artery. Early symptoms are uncommon, but in the first year of life include increased work of breathing and poor weight gain. With age, PDA may lead to congestive heart failure (CHF), if left uncorrected. Neonates without adverse symptoms may simply be monitored as outpatients, while symptomatic PDA can be treated with both surgical and non-surgical methods.

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