Background: The Amplatzer Vascular Plug (AVP) I and AVP II have been used successfully to occlude moderate-large venous collateral vessels (VC) and pulmonary arteriovenous malformations (PAVM) in children and adults with congenital heart disease.
Purpose: To report our experience in 4 patients who underwent device occlusion of systemic venous collaterals (3 patients) and device closure of pulmonary arteriovenous malformation (1 patient) that developed contraction of the AVP.
Methods: The records of all patients who underwent device occlusion utilizing both AVP I and AVP II between November 2006 and January 2011 were retrospectively reviewed. All available follow-up chest x-rays were reviewed and compared with angiograms obtained post device occlusion. A device 30%-50% larger than the targeted vessel was utilized to occlude the vessel.
Results: Four patients were identified with a mean age of 21 years (range, 7 years and 2 months-52 years) and mean weight of 60.6 kg (range, 15.3-131.5 kg). Two patients received AVP I and 2 patients received AVP II. One patient who received the 12 mm AVP I showed moderate contraction. The 3 other patients who received AVP I (6 mm) and AVP II (10 mm, 12 mm) all demonstrated device contraction to the original shape of the device. Mean follow-up time of 24 months (range, 12-40 months) has shown no evidence of hemodynamic or vascular compromise.
Conclusions: Short to mid-term follow-up indicate that contraction of AVP I and AVP II is safe with no evidence of hemodynamic or vascular compromise. Continued long-term follow-up is warranted.