Chronic embolization of an atrial septal occluder device: percutaneous or surgical retrieval? A case report.

Percutaneous closure of secundum atrial septal defects may be complicated by immediate or late device embolization. Percutaneous retrieval techniques are usually successful even if sometimes surgery is required. The optimal selection of an atrial septal defect and the choice of appropriate device sizes are fundamental to reduce the incidence of embolization. We describe a case of late device embolization occurring two years after transcatheter atrial septal defect closure and for which percutaneous retrieval was unsuccessfully attempted.