Percutaneous closure of patent foramen ovale and secundum atrial septal defects with the gore® cardioform septal occluder: Incidence and implications of device wire frame fracture

Background: Trans-catheter closure has become the treatment of choice for patent foramen ovale (PFO) and ostium secundum atrial septal defects (ASD). A wide variety of devices are commercially available, however, concerns have been raised about the risk of cardiac erosion associated with stiff/rigid devices. The GORE® CARDIOFORM Septal Occluder (GSO) is a double-disc, soft and conformable device with no reported incidence of cardiac erosions. How-ever, wire frame fracture (WFF) have been reported. Aim: To assess the incidence and clinical significance of WFF after GSO implantation in paediatric patients. Methods: Seventy-seven consecutive patients were enrolled. Periprocedural and follow-up assessments included clinical, echocardiographic, and X-ray fluoro-scopy examinations. Results: Mean patient age was 10.0 ± 3.9 years. In 7 patients the indication was PFO closure, in 70 patients ASD closure. Mean follow-up period was 3.1 ± 1.3 years. X-ray fluoroscopy evaluations were available for 60 patients. WFF was detected in a total of 22 (35.4%) GSO devices. Three WFF compromised the outer perimeter of the device. Incidence of WFF was higher for the 30 mm GSO device (58%; p = 0.001). A multivariate analysis confirmed that the GSO device diameter (p = 0.013; F = 6.7) and stretched ASD diameter (p = 0.034; F = 4.38) were independent factors related to WFF. WFF did not result in any clinical sequelae/patient harm. Residual shunt was observed in 4 patients (5%) at 24 hours following procedure. Conclusion: The GSO device is safe and effective for PFO and ASD closure. WFF was not associated with clinical sequelae or device instability. Device diameter strongly correlates with incidence of WFF.