Amplatzer device closure of a tortuous Gerbode (left ventricle-to-right atrium) defect complicated by transient hemolysis in an octogenarian.

An 86 year-old male presented with progressive shortness of breath and a murmur. Six years earlier, he had undergone mitral valve surgery. An echocardiogram revealed a significant left ventricular-to-right atrial connection (Gerbode defect). The defect was closed percutaneously using an Amplatzer Septal Occluder device. After the procedure, the patient developed transient hemolysis and renal dysfunction. A year later, there was no residual flow on echocardiography and the patient reported marked improvement in exercise tolerance.