title: Two cases of late embolization of Amplatzer septal occluder devices to the pulmonary artery following closure of secundum atrial septal defects.
abstract: The Amplatzer septal occluder (ASO; AGA Medical Corporation) is a self-expanding nitinol double-disk device that is being used for atrial septal defect closure with increasing frequency. The morbidity of the procedure is thought to be low, but complications are possible. We describe two cases of delayed embolization of the device to the right heart. Our patients both required surgical retrieval of the devices, which had migrated to the pulmonary artery.
authors.affiliation: Cardiac Disease Specialists, P.C., Atlanta, GA 30309, USA. walter.mashman@cdspc.com
authors.forename: Walter E
authors.initials: WE
authors.lastname: Mashman
authors.forename: Spencer B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: King
authors.forename: W Carl
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Jacobs
authors.forename: William L
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: Ballard
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D018618:Echocardiography, Doppler, Color; D017548:Echocardiography, Transesophageal; D004621:Embolization, Therapeutic / Q000295:instrumentation*; D005260:Female; D006344:Heart Septal Defects, Atrial / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D006346:Heart Septum / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011651:Pulmonary Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D013997:Time Factors