Migration of atrial septal occluder device to the thoracic aorta: case report

Atrial septal defect (ASD) is a common cardiac defect with significant implications if left untreated. Although open heart surgery is the traditional approach, transcatheter closure devices, such as the Amplatzer™ Septal Occluder Device, have gained prominence due to advantages like shorter hospital stays and reduced costs. Among potential complications, device migration is a rare complication, with an incidence of 0.5 to 1.1%. We report a rare case of migration of an Amplatzer™ device in an asymptomatic patient, diagnosed 6 months after its implantation. After detecting the issue, the medical team opted for percutaneous device removal followed by open surgery to correct the ASD. In conclusion, managing Amplatzer™ device embolization requires careful consideration of the patient's circumstances and device anatomy. This case highlights the importance of correlating clinical and imaging findings when selecting the management approach and assessing the feasibility of a less invasive approach in cases of late migration.