“In order to close the PDA, we have to give him contrast to be able to take X-ray pictures before and after the occlusion and see the anatomy clearly. We need the angiograms to make sure we are placing the Piccolo medical device into the proper position. But the contrast used can potentially cause further harm to the kidneys that are already not working well. It was a difficult catch-22 situation,” said interventional cardiologist and chief of pediatric cardiology Frank Ing, who would perform the PDA closure.
It was too risky. So, the team came up with a new strategy: a PDA closure guided only by heart ultrasound, better known as echocardiography (echo) without contrast or angiograms.
A new way to PDA
Is it possible to solely use echo to help guide the placement of the Amplatzer Piccolo Occluder device without traditional angiography? Could echo replace angiography, which uses contrast and X-rays to show the anatomy of the PDA?
Ing discussed the novel strategy with fellow pediatric cardiologist and medical director of the pediatric echocardiography lab Jay Yeh.
“It’s not always easy to see blood vessels by echo,” Yeh said. “But Taylor had an echo a couple of days prior. I felt pretty confident that I could see the position of the device in the PDA and ensure that the device would not cause flow obstruction to nearby blood vessels. I felt that I could guide Dr. Ing to the proper position for the device implant, based on what I was seeing in the echo.”
They agreed to try it.
During the cardiac catheterization procedure, Ing passed a thin catheter into a blood vessel in Taylor’s groin and moved it up into the heart, only guided by echo images provided by Yeh, to locate the PDA. Inserting the Amplatzer Piccolo Occluder medical device into the catheter and into the PDA, Dr. Ing was able to successfully release the device to block the abnormal blood flow of the PDA.
In less than two hours, the procedure was complete.
Taylor’s kidney function significantly improved the next morning. A post-PDA echo revealed that no residual PDA remained. The procedure was an overwhelming success.
“I am aware of only a few interventional cardiologists in the country who have done this,” Ing said. “I am proud that we were able to help this baby using a team approach.”
Cedric Taylor’s mom Candra is just thankful that this procedure has made a big difference to her son’s health overnight.
“I appreciate Dr. Ing for taking the risk and making the best decision for Cedric, due to certain circumstances. Dr. Ing did great with reassuring that he only had confidence that the procedure would be successful,” said Taylor.
Cedric will not require any additional PDA procedures. The device will remain in place for Cedric’s lifetime.
“Baby Cedric clinically is doing much better. We are happy and growing. Only ups and gains from here!” Taylor said.
