A randomized, controlled, multi‐center trial of the efficacy and safety of the Occlutech Figulla Flex‐II Occluder compared to the Amplatzer Septal Occluder for transcatheter closure of secundum atrial septal defects

AIMS: The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of the Occlutech Figulla Flex II Occluder (OFFII) with the Amplatzer Septal Occluder (ASO) in patients > 8kg undergoing transcatheter ASD closure. METHODS AND RESULTS: Randomized, controlled, multi-center prospective clinical trial with randomization 2:1 in favor of the OFFII. Primary efficacy endpoint was the rate of successful device placement and defect closure without major complications at hospital discharge. All data were assessed through a core laboratory. Interim analysis was performed when 70% of the patients were treated to evaluate for noninferiority. From a total of 176 randomized subjects, interim analysis was performed on the first 158 patients (65.2% female) (107 OFFII/51 ASO) undergoing device closure at a median weight of 42 kg (range 13-125 kg). Seventy-six percent (120 patients) completed 6-month follow-up. Successful device placement (first attempt) was achieved in 99.1% of the OFF group vs 90.2% of the ASO group (P < 0.05). Early efficacy success was achieved in 94.4% of the OFFII group vs 90.2% of the ASO group (P < 0.001). The incidence of major complications was 5.6% for the OFFII group compared to 9.8% for the ASO. CONCLUSIONS: The OFFII device was not inferior to the ASO with less complications and greater efficacy than the ASO.