Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) constitutes 6 to 11% of all congenital heart defects. While surgical ligation and video-assisted, thoracoscopic interruption of PDA are still available, transcatheter occlusion of PDAs has recently assumed a major role in closure of PDA. A large number of devices have been designed and tested both in animal models and human subjects, but only few devices (free and detachable Gianturco coils, GGVOD and Amplatzer duct occluder) are approved by the FDA for general

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... nical use. A few other devices are in clinical trials and are available only at institutions participating in clinical trials within or outside the US. At the present time, Gianturco coils for closure of very small and small PDAs and Amplatzer duct occluder for occlusion of small, moderate and large PDAs appear to be feasible, safe and effective in the majority of patients.