title: Interatrial septal closure devices and aortic perforation: a note of caution.
abstract: Percutaneous defect closure is well established in patients with a symptomatic patent foramen ovale (PFO). Despite a safe interventional procedure, severe complications have been described during device implantation or follow up. Two patients are described whose cases may serve to warn of an unusual complication associated with a closure device. Several weeks after percutaneous PFO closure, perforation of a device strut into the aortic root was evident in both asymptomatic patients. The perforations were repaired surgically and both patients had further uneventful follow-ups. Procedures which could decrease the risk of device perforation should be adhered to and the indication for closure should consider this potential complication.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Heart Centre, University of Dresden, Fetscherstrasse 76-01307, Dresden, Germany. cardiology@email.de
authors.forename: Steffen P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Schoen
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wiedeman
authors.forename: Manja
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bock
authors.forename: Utz
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Kappert
authors.forename: Ruth H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Strasser
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001013:Aorta, Thoracic / Q000293:injuries*; D001018:Aortic Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D001027:Aortography; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D017548:Echocardiography, Transesophageal; D004621:Embolization, Therapeutic / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation*; D005260:Female; D054092:Foramen Ovale, Patent / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007431:Intraoperative Complications; D008297:Male; D012421:Rupture