Closure of patent foramen ovale defects using GORE® CARDIOFORM septal occluder: Results from a prospective European multicenter study

AIMS: The GORE® CARDIOFORM Septal Occluder (GSO) is a novel device designed for rapid and effective closure of patent foramen ovale (PFO) which has distinctive features making it suitable for a broad spectrum of anatomical variations. We report the procedural and 6 months follow-up results of the first prospective, multicenter study using GSO.

METHODS AND RESULTS: This single-arm study included 150 subjects undergoing closure of PFO in 10 European centers. In 149 out of 150 patients implantation of a GSO device was successful. One patient had a different PFO-closure device implanted. Periprocedural complications were few including one patient with suspected transient ischemic attack, two access site bleedings, and one patient with AV-fistula. No device embolization occurred. During the 6-month follow-up period one patient had a transient asymptomatic thrombus on the device and four patients (2.6%) were diagnosed new onset paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, which were successfully treated. No thrombembolic events occurred. Closure was successful in 94.2% of subjects at discharge evaluation and 96.9% at 6 months follow-up.

CONCLUSION: This prospective, multicenter study adds to previous published data and suggests that GSO is a versatile device for PFO closure with high procedural and closure success rates and low complication rates through mid-term follow-up. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.