BACKGROUND In this study, we sought to analyze our experience in urgent surgical management for embolized cardiac septal and ductal occluder devices resulting from trans-catheter closure of atrial septal defect, ventricular septal defect and patent ductus arteriosus in childhood patient group. METHODS We retrospectively reviewed 9 patients (aged 2-15 years) who underwent urgent surgery due to...

BACKGROUND Percutaneous closure of large persistent ductus arteriosus using the Amplatzer duct occluder is an alternative to surgery. However, this device is not recommended in infants weighing less than 6 kg. AIM To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of this procedure in low-body-weight infants. METHODS We reviewed retrospectively data for infants weighing less or equal to 6 kg who unde...

A 65-year-old woman with severe paravalvular mitral regurgitation and chronic hemolytic anemia was referred for surgical consultation. Her medical history included rheumatic heart disease with mitral valve replacement in 1977, aortic valve replacement in 1988, and repeat mechanical mitral valve replacement in 2002. Predominant symptoms were New York Heart Association function class III dyspnea ...

A ventricular septal defect (VSD) is one or more holes in the wall that separates the right and left ventricles of the heart. VSD is one of the most common congenital (present from birth) heart defects. Many types of VSDs have been reported, including congenital VSDs, post-infarction VSDs (1), and post-traumatic VSDs (2). Furthermore, there are four types of congenital VSDs; perimembranous VSD ...

BACKGROUND Patients with a patent foramen ovale (PFO) who suffered from stroke, TIA or peripheral paradoxical embolism are at substantial risk for recurrent neurologic events and in need for secondary prevention. Interventional closure of PFO has been performed for over 20 years. Numerous devices have been developed and used for treatment. We investigated PFO closure with the third generation O...

Percutaneous atrial septal defect closure is routinely performed nowadays because of the ease of implantation as well as the low complication rate. The Atriasept ASD occluder is a low profile, double disc device; over the years several modifications have been made. We report two cases of aortic sinus perforation by the Atriasept ASD occluder (model 2007). Two asymptomatic patients, in whom the ...

We present the case of a patient who underwent a percutaneous secundum atrial septal defect (ASD II) closure with an undersized septal occluder device. One week and one month later she experienced two transient ischemic attacks. Three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) revealed a residual patent foramen ovale (PFO) with a positive Valsalva bubble test. She underwent a second pro...

OBJECTIVES Transcatheter closure of a secundum atrial septal defect (ASD II) has become an effective alternative for surgical treatment. In this study we evaluated the correlation between the two-dimensional transoesophageal echocardiographic (2D TEE) sizing of ASDs and the actual diameter of occluders in patients undergoing device closure. METHODS The records of 54 patients who underwent tra...

BACKGROUND Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is a common form of congenital heart disease and forms about 5-10% of congenital heart diseases. Surgical closure is safe and effective; however, certain patients may experience some morbidity. Recently, transcatheter closure of PDA using the Amplatzer duct occluder has been shown to be safe and efficacious. OBJECTIVES To evaluate whether transcathete...

rious complications after esophagectomy, and it occurs in 5%–29% of patients [1]. Although there are no standardizedmethods for treating intrathoracic leakage, the treatment options include surgery, external drainage, and endoscopic treatment. A 68-year-oldmanwas hospitalizedwith a mild cough associatedwith oral intake. He had been diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus 18 mont...