The size of the PDA will be measured and an appropriate size coil will be selected for closure. If a PDA is unusually large, coil closure may not be possible. Surgical closure would then be necessary and will be scheduled for another time. The coil is a tiny, thin stainless steel wire shaped into a series of circles. The coil surface has fiber strands to help make closure complete.
Complications are rare and almost all are readily treatable.
These include blood loss requiring a transfusion, allergic reaction to X-ray dye requiring medication and improper coil position requiring retrieval by catheter technique. If any of these occur, it is during the procedure and treated immediately. In infants there is a small risk of blockage of the groin artery used for catheterization and ordinarily it responds to medication. After the procedure your child will return to their hospital room. There will be a large bandage on the groin and it will be changed to a regular band-aid when you go home.