Late Infection of an Atrial Septal Defect Closure Device: A Possible Complication.

ABSTRACT

Atrial septal defect is a common congenital heart defect. In the late 1990s, percutaneous closure became available and eventually the treatment of choice. The procedure is considered safe because of its low incidence of complications. Infection rate is extremely low and occurs typically early after device implantation. Herein we present a case of late and dramatic infection of an Amplatzer Septal Occluder (St Jude Medical). This case illustrates that infection remains possible a long time after atrial septal defect occlusion despite theoretical device endothelialization.