Urgent Surgical Intervention for Embolized Cardiac Occluder Devices: A Case Series

Introduction: In this study, we sought to illustrate our experience in urgent surgical management for embolized cardiac septal occlude devices resulting from trans-catheter closure of atrial septal defect and ventricular septal defect. Mathrials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed four patients aged 2–10 years who underwent urgent surgery due to cardiac septal occluder embolization between December 2015 and December 2016. Congenital defects were atrial septal defect (n=2) and ventricular septal defect (VSD) (n=2). Risk factors for device embolization and the need for urgent surgical retrieval/definitive management techniques for embolized device removal are discussed. Results: Removal of embolized devices was performed in all the cases. Inevitably, in three patients the primary defect was closed, while in one case of VSD the device was removed without closing the defect. All the operations were completed successfully and no hospital mortality or morbidity was encountered. Conclusions: Although closure of left to right shunting defects by percutaneous occluder devices has several advantages, device embolization is still a major complication. If embolized device retrieval fails with percutaneous intervention attempts, surgical management is the only method to remove embolized devices. In this circumstance, to provide an uneventful perioperative course, urgent management strategies should be well planned.