Transcatheter closure of patent Ductus Arteriosus: report of the first case in Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Since the first report on device closure of Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA) by Porstmann et al 1967, the procedure has gained wide acceptance and has been used all over the world, including parts of Africa. The advantages when compared to surgical closure include shorter procedure time and hospital stay and no scar being left. This mode of treatment was not available in Nigeria prior to this with patients having to travel abroad to benefit. Patient and method: Cardiac catheterisation laboratory became available in Lagos, Nigeria in 2009 and in October 2010, the laboratory collaborated with Lagos Stale University College of Medicine (LASUCOM) and /Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), to perform a device closure on a 3-year old girl with PDA who had presented to LASUTH with heart failure at the age of 6 months. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time the procedure has been performed in Nigeria Results: The patient made a successful recovery and is haemodynamically stable, on no medications. Conclusion: Device closure of PDA is now safe and available in Nigeria