Embolization of Atrial Septal Occluder Device into the Pulmonary Artery: A Rare Complication and Usefulness of Live/Real Time Three-Dimensional Transthoracic Echocardiography

• Published in: Echocardiography (Mount Kisco, N.Y.) Vol. 26; no. 6; pp. 739 - 741
• Main Authors: Dod, Harvinder S., Reddy, Venkataramana K., Bhardwaj, Ravindra, Gudausky, Todd, Warden, Bradford E., Beto, Robert J., Nanda, Navin C., Jain, Abnash C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Malden, USA Blackwell Publishing Inc 01.07.2009
• Subjects: Adult; atrial septal occlusion device; complication of atrial septal occlusion device; Computer Systems; Echocardiography, Three-Dimensional - methods; Embolization, Therapeutic - adverse effects; Embolization, Therapeutic - instrumentation; Humans; Male; Pulmonary Artery - diagnostic imaging; Pulmonary Artery - injuries; three-dimensional echocardiography; two-dimensional echocardiography
• ISSN: 0742-2822; 1540-8175
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1540-8175.2009.00967.x

Percutaneous closure of atrial septal defects (ASD) in adults has emerged as an alternative to surgery. We report a rare complication of an atrial septal occluder device embolization into the pulmonary artery which was detected by fluoroscopy and echocardiography. The potential usefulness of live/real time three‐dimensional transthoracic echocardiography in the management of patients undergoing percutaneous ASD occlusion is described. (ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY, Volume 26, July 2009)