Percutaneous, Minimally Invasive Retrieval of a Dislodged and Impacted Device from the Abdominal Aorta, Four Months After Closure of an Atrial Septal Defect

Four months after the successful implantation of a closure device in a 67-year-old woman with an atrial septal defect, the device was found to be impacted in the abdominal aorta. Severe bouts of only partially containable coughing episodes had occurred some days after implantation. Despite unknown endothelialization status and extent of adhesion to the aorta, percutaneous retrieval was favored over conventional surgical retrieval. In conclusion, this case confirms that bouts of elevated intrathoracic pressure can lead to device dislocation and that it may be possible to successfully retrieve a device percutaneously, even months after implantation.