Medicina (Apr 2024)

Embolization of Patent Foramen Ovale Closure Device—Rare Complication and Unique Management Approach

  • Mila Kovacevic,
  • Marko Atanaskovic,
  • Katarina Obradovic,
  • Mirko Todic,
  • Branislav Crnomarkovic,
  • Marija Bjelobrk,
  • Snezana Bjelic,
  • Milenko Cankovic,
  • Aleksandra Milovancev,
  • Ilija Srdanovic

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina60050717
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 60, no. 5
p. 717

Abstract

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Percutaneous closure of the patent foramen ovale (PFO) is generally regarded as a safe and effective procedure, indicated in patients with a prior PFO-associated stroke. While it is highly safe, rarely, it could be accompanied by a migration of the device, mainly caused by the interplay of a specific PFO morphology and inappropriate device sizing. Herein, we outline a seldom-observed complication of an unintentional detachment of the PFO closure device during implantation, leading to its migration into the abdominal aorta, and a unique management approach. Due to the inability to recapture the occluder with a snare, which is considered to be a mainstay of endovascular retrieval methods, two coronary guidewires were maneuvered through the mesh of the occluder and then captured with a snare proximally to the occluder. This innovative dual-wire–snare system was carefully pulled to the common femoral artery, a position deemed suitable for surgical extraction via arteriotomy, which was achieved successfully.

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