BACKGROUND Transcatheter closure of secundum atrial septal defects (ASD) using the Amplatzer septal occluder is generally safe and effective, but erosion into the pericardial space or aorta has been described. Although the absolute risk of this complication is low, there has been no assessment of relative risk factors. METHODS AND RESULTS All erosions reported to St. Jude Medical after ASD cl...

OBJECTIVES This study assessed the ability of live/real time three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography (3DTEE) in measuring (1) atrial septal defect (ASD) maximum dimension, area, and adjacent rim size, (2) ASD occluder left and right atrial disk size, (3) length of contact between the left atrial (LA) disk and the aorta, and in (4) assessing device related complications such as residu...

PURPOSE For the successful completion of transcatheter closure of atrial septal defects with the Amplatzer septal occluder, shape of the defects should be considered prior to selecting the device. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the results of a transcatheter closure of oval shaped atrial septal defect. MATERIALS AND METHODS From November 2009 until November 2011, cardiac computed to...

An asymptomatic 50-year-old Caucasian woman was referred to our echocardiography laboratory to monitor a Biostar septal occluder device inserted six months before in order to close a patent foramen ovale. On transthoracic echocardiography no residual shunt was observed but the device was not identifiable (Figure 1A); after injection of agitated saline solution in a vein of the right arm and the...

Percutaneous transcatheter atrial septal defect (ASD) closure is a widely used technique that has replaced open-heart surgical closure in many centers. The most common implant is the Amplatzer septal occluder which seems to be a highly effective and safe device. However, there are reports of complications associated with its implantation. We report a 9-year-old boy who presented with complete a...

In a large autopsy study, intracardiac ball thrombi are usually seen in the left atrium and rarely seen in the right atrium. They may be one or more in number. Right atrial ball thrombus may appear as a complication of central venous catheterization or be coexistent with tricuspid stenosis. A 42-year-old woman who began routine hemodialysis 5 years ago due to chronic kidney disease was admitted...

Embolization of the Amplatzer Septal Occluder (ASO) device (St. Jude Medical, Minnesota) after percutaneous closure of atrial septal defect (ASD) is a rare and potentially catastrophic complication. Percutaneous retrieval of the embolized device is gaining ground as an acceptable method, although these patients are usually subsequently referred for open surgical closure of the ASD. We present a...

The feasibility and safety of transvenous closure of atrial septal defects by a new device was tested in 20 piglets, in which atrial septal defects were created by foramen ovale dilatation with angioplasty balloons. The device was small enough to be introduced in a 7F or 8F sheath, and it measured 20-25 mm. It has no hooks and consists of a foam occluder from the left atrium and a counter-occlu...

A 21-year-old male with a 27-mm atrial septal defect (ASD) underwent an uneventful percutaneous device closure using a 28-mm Ultrasept ASD Occluder with super-low profile (Cardia, Inc., USA) under transoesophageal echocardiography (TEE) guidance. We particularly favoured this kind of occluder device due to the possible future need for catheter atrial septostomy in such a young patient. The use ...

OBJECTIVES This study sought to compare the safety and efficacy of the HELEX septal occluder (HSO) with surgical repair of atrial septal defect (ASD). BACKGROUND The HSO is a low-profile, double-disk occluder device for percutaneous closure of secundum ASD. METHODS Patients were enrolled (HSO arm prospectively, surgery arm prospectively/retrospectively) from 14 U.S. sites and followed up fo...