Additional aortopulmonary collaterals in patients referred for coil occlusion of a patent ductus arteriosus

Coexisting aortopulmonary collaterals in patients diagnosed with a patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) are rare findings. Percutaneous transcatheter closure of PDA and requisite aortography offer an unique opportunity to identify and treat these systemic arterial anomalies, which would be missed by echocardiographic evaluation alone. The significance of these collaterals is unclear, but it may contribute to left heart dilation from additional left to right shunting in patients with an otherwise isolated small PDA. Of 18 patients undergoing transcatheter occlusion of a PDA with Gianturco coils, 2 were found to an additional significant aortopulmonary collaterals, which were also occluded.