Medtronic's MVP Studied for Transcatheter Occlusion of PDAs in Extremely Premature Infants

November 29, 2016—In Catheterization and Cardiovascular Interventions (CCI), Shyam Sathanandam, MD, et al published findings from the early multicenter clinical experience with the MVP microvascular plug (Medtronic plc) for the occlusion of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in premature infants. MVP is a new large-diameter plug that can be delivered through a microcatheter for occlusion of abnormal blood vessels.

In this retrospective review of PDA embolization procedures performed in two centers using the MVP device, the investigators concluded that the device may be useful for the occlusion of PDA in extremely small premature infants.

As summarized in CCI, 15 premature infants underwent attempted PDA occlusion using the MVP device. The gestational age and birth weight were 25.6 ± 2.5 weeks and 735 ± 251 g, respectively. The median weight and age at the time of the procedure were 1,210 g (700–3,500 g) and 4.5 weeks (2–12 weeks), respectively. Median procedure and fluoroscopy times were 45 and 6.5 minutes, respectively. The median radiation and contrast doses were 19.7 mGy and 2.4 mL/kg, respectively. 

The investigators reported that antegrade occlusion was successfully achieved in 13 patients who were < 2 kg with only femoral venous access aided by echo guidance. The two patients who were > 2 kg underwent arterial access and attempted retrograde occlusion, one of which was unsuccessful due to the PDA being short and wide. Complete closure was observed in 13 of 14 successful procedures (93%), with one patient having a small residual shunt that was not seen on follow-up. There were no complications related to the procedure or noted during follow-up (median, 11 months), noted the investigators in CCI.