Running Head: Rare Embolization of a PFO Occluder Device
Authors: Luca Allievi1,*, MD; Amedeo
Bongarzoni2, MD; Guido Tassinario2,
MD; Stefano Carugo1, MD.
1Department of Cardiology, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda
Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy.
2Department of Cardiology, ASST Santi Paolo e Carlo,
University of Milan, 20142 Milan, Italy.
*Corresponding author: Luca Allievi, MD, Department of Cardiology,
Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Via Sforza
35, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy, Phone: 0039-0255033517,
E-mail:luca.allievi@unimi.it, Fax:
none.
Abstract: Patent foramen ovale (PFO) is a common congenital
defect in adults; its closure with an occluder device is usually a safe
procedure. However, a rare and potentially fatal complication is the
device embolization. We report a case of a 52-year-old man with bicuspid
aortic valve and surgically corrected aortic coarctation in which a PFO
occluder device migrated to the abdominal aorta. We recommend paying
attention to the risk factors before the intervention (PFO
characteristics and multiple congenital defects) and to the
clinical-echocardiographic follow-up, to prevent, recognize and treat
this severe complication as soon as possible.
Keywords : aorta coarctation; patent foramen ovale; atrial
septal aneurysm (ASA); transcatheter closure device; bicuspid aortic
valve; echocardiography.