DEVELOPMENT OF A DEVICEMADE OF A SHAPE MEMORY POLYMER FOR CLOSURE OF DUCTUS ARTERIOSUS: TRANSVENOUS OCCLUSION IN DOGS WITH EXPERIMENTAL AORTO-PULMONALY SHUNT

Abstract

We developed a new transvenous patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) occlusion technique driven by thermo-expandable mechanics. In this experimental series, a new radio-opaque occluder device was made of shape memory polymer compounded barium sulphate. The aorto-pulmonary shunt was performed in five dogs using a e-PTFE graft. A barlike occluder device processed by hot press was pushed out transvenously into the graft by a pushing catheter through a long sheath with fluoloscopy. After dashed with 45°C normal saline solution through catheters, the device was expanded fully and stayed in the graft without any support. The aortogram after the procedure revealed three complete and two partial occlusions.