title: Amplatzer device closure of a tortuous Gerbode (left ventricle-to-right atrium) defect complicated by transient hemolysis in an octogenarian.
abstract: An 86 year-old male presented with progressive shortness of breath and a murmur. Six years earlier, he had undergone mitral valve surgery. An echocardiogram revealed a significant left ventricular-to-right atrial connection (Gerbode defect). The defect was closed percutaneously using an Amplatzer Septal Occluder device. After the procedure, the patient developed transient hemolysis and renal dysfunction. A year later, there was no residual flow on echocardiography and the patient reported marked improvement in exercise tolerance.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, University of Nevada School of Medicine and Childrens Heart Center, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. rothman@childrensheartcenter.com
authors.forename: Abraham
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rothman
authors.forename: Alvaro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Galindo
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Channick
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Blanchard