Objective: The Amplatzer® Vascular Plug (AVP) is a retrievable, selfexpanding cylindrical nitinol wire mesh device designed for embolisation of arterial and venous vascular malformations.
Patients and Methods: 13 patients (age: 12 days - 15 years) with underlying complex congenital heart disease (n=8) or an isolated malformation (n=5) underwent embolisation with a total of 18 AVP. Devices of 4 to 12 mm, which had at least twice the diameter of the malformation at its narrowest segment were deployed through a 5 to 7 F guide catheter. Once, 2 AVP were positioned in series. During routine catheterization, 8 patients with single ventricle palliation had occlusion of aortopulmonary (n=6) and venovenous (n=4) collaterals or suture dehiscence of the Fontan tunnel (n=2). One patient each underwent embolisation of a coronary artery fistula, sinus valsalva aneurysm, A. brachialis aneurysm, V. verticalis, and the ductus venosus Arantii.
Results: Complete occlusion was confirmed in all patients by angiography or echocardiography within the first 24 hours after device placement. There were no device embolisations or other procedure related complications.
Conclusion: The AVP is an easy to use and effective device for embolisation in a wide variety of clinical situations and contributes to reduce procedure and fluoroscopy times. In most cases, placement of a single device results in effective occlusion of the target malformation.