Predictors of Residual Right-to-Left Shunt After Percutaneous Suture-Mediated Patent Fossa Ovalis Closure

OBJECTIVES This study sought to assess patent fossa ovalis (PFO) anatomy by transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) in patients undergoing percutaneous suture-mediated PFO closure to identify predictors of post-procedural residual atrial right-to-left shunt (RLS). BACKGROUND Percutaneous suture-mediated PFO dosure has been proven to be a safe and effective technique in most PFO patients. METHODS From June 2016 to October 2019, 247 consecutive patients underwent percutaneous suture-mediated PFO dosure at our institution. Of them, 230 (46 +/- 13 years of age, 146 women) had complete and technically evaluable preprocedural TEE. The following parameters in short-axis view were assessed: presence and grade of spontaneous RLS, PFO length and width, presence of atrial septal aneurysm and its maximal bulge, and presence of an embryonic or fetal remnant (Chiari network or Eustachian valve). RESULTS At the first follow-up transthoracic echocardiography performed between 3 and 6 months from the closure procedure, a residual RLS >= 2 grade was found in 37 (16%) patients. Grade of pre-procedural spontaneous RLS (hazard ratio: 1.99; 95% confidence interval: 1.14 to 3.48; p 0.016) shunt and PFO width (hazard ratio: 2.52; 95% confidence interval: 1.85 to 3.43; p < 0.001) were both found to be significantly associated with significant residual RLS at multivariable analysis. The presence of atrial septal aneurysm and its maximal bulge and of congenital remnants was not associated with significant residual RLS. CONCLUSIONS Percutaneous suture-mediated PFO closure is feasible in the majority of septal anatomies; however, PFO >5 mm in width and spontaneous large RLS are less likely to be closed with 1 stitch only. (C) 2020 by the American College of Cardiology Foundation.