Emergent surgical retrieval of an embolized septal occluder from the main pulmonary artery

Surgical closure of ASD has been used for over 50 years and appears to be a safe and effective operation. However, over the past decade, transcatheter closure techniques have been increasingly practiced. We present a case of 51 -year old woman with atrial septal defect [ASD]. She presented with progressive decrease in exercise tolerance. Echocardiographic examination-showed the ASD and a 26mm septal occluder device [Cardio-fix septal occluder] was successfully deployed under fluoroscopic and echocardiographic guidance. However, the patient suddenly complained of palpitation and sustained ventricular tachycardia thirty minutes after the procedure. A repeat echocardiographic examination confirmed embolization of the device into main pulmonary artery. Due to failure of capture of the device via multisnare, the patient was immediately taken to the operating room for removal of the device and surgical closure of the defect. The embolized device was grasped and retrieved from proximal pulmonary artery between index and middle fingers inserted into the main pulmonary artery via the tricuspid and pulmonary valves. The ASD was closed by running nonabsorbable polypropylene suture. Postoperative recovery was uneventful. The patient was discharged home after a total of six days of hospitalization