Emergent Surgical Retrieval of an Embolized Atrial Septal Occluder Device from Right Ventricle – An Unusual Occurrence

Atrial septal defect (ASD) is one of the most common congenital heart defects (3.78/10,000 live births). For several decades, surgical closure has been considered the standard method of repairing an ostium secundum ASD. Surgical treatment is safe and effective, but the complications relate to bleeding, arrhythmia, and residual defects. However, over the years, percutaneous device closure using the Amplatzer ASD occluder (AGA Medical Corp., Golden Valley, Minnesota) has been widely used for the treatment of ASD and has proven to be effective and safe as traditional surgical repair. However, procedure- or device-related complications can occur; Complications commonly associated with ASD closure device includes residual shunt, device malposition or embolization, thrombosis in the vena cava or atrium and erosion of the surrounding tissue which may lead to perforation of the heart, which could be fatal. We report an unusual case of a 16-year-old female with embolization of the ASD occluder device into the right ventricle immediately after device deployment. We removed the device surgically and closed the ASD in a standard manner, with an autologous pericardial patch. The patient was discharged from the hospital without any complications.