# Atrial Wall Perforation After Atrial Septal Defect Device Closure: A Case Report

## TL;DR

A child developed a life-threatening heart complication after a procedure to close a heart defect, highlighting the rare but serious risks of this treatment.

## Contribution

This case report highlights cardiac erosion as a rare but critical complication of transcatheter ASD device closure.

## Key findings

- A seven-year-old child experienced acute pericardial effusion due to atrial roof erosion after ASD device closure.
- Surgical intervention was required to remove the device and repair the atrial tear.
- Cardiac erosion is a rare but life-threatening complication of transcatheter ASD closure.

## Abstract

Transcatheter device closure is currently the first modality of choice in the management of secundum atrial septal defects (ASDs). We report a seven-year-old child with secundum ASD who underwent transcatheter ASD device closure using the Amplatzer septal occluder (ASO) (AGA Medical Corporation, Golden Valley, Minnesota, United States). Two weeks after the procedure, the patient presented with life-threatening acute pericardial effusion as a result of atrial roof erosion. Diagnosis was confirmed by echocardiography and cardiac CT scan. Surgical removal of the device and repair of the tear in the atrium together with ASD closure were done. Although rare, cardiac erosion is a significant and life-threatening complication after transcatheter ASD device closure that should not be underestimated.