PHKL Performs First Minimally Invasive PDA Closure in Adult Patient

7 June 2025

KUALA LUMPUR: Pantai Hospital Kuala Lumpur (PHKL) has achieved a significant milestone in cardiovascular care with the successful transcatheter device occlusion of a patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in an adult patient with congenital heart disease — a first for the hospital’s Interventional Cardiology Laboratory (ICL).

The patient, who was initially referred for open-heart surgery to ligate the PDA and close a ventricular septal defect (VSD), was thoroughly evaluated by PHKL’s multidisciplinary cardiac team. A detailed transoesophageal echocardiogram (TOE) identified a single, tiny VSD that did not necessitate immediate surgical repair, enabling the team to opt for a less invasive, catheter-based procedure.

"This case is a testament to multidisciplinary, patient-centred approach," said Dr Siti Laura, Consultant Paediatric Cardiothoracic Surgeon at PHKL. "By opting for a minimally invasive PDA device occlusion, we were able to offer the patient a faster recovery, smaller incision, and significantly reduced scarring."

This successful procedure highlights PHKL's expanding capabilities in adult congenital heart care, a specialised and growing field that requires collaborative planning and tailored interventions. It also reflects the hospital's commitment to delivering innovative, minimally invasive solutions for structural heart conditions in adults — a group often underrepresented in congenital cardiac care.

“Our ability to perform such procedures reflects the hospital's continuous investment in advanced cardiac technology and our commitment to improving outcomes for patients with congenital heart disease," Dr Siti Laura added. "We will continue to monitor the patient's condition closely — particularly her VSD — to ensure optimal long-term care.

PHKL reinforces its position as a tertiary referral centre and a growing centre of excellence for adult congenital heart disease management in Malaysia.