Left atrial thrombus formation on a CardioSeal Septal Occlusion device in a patient with elevated factor VIII:

Michael R Recto1, Walter Sobczyk, Terence Hadley

  • 1Division of Pediatric Cardiology, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky 40202-3830, USA. mitch.recto@louisville.edu

Insights

Thrombus formed on a CardioSeal device after patent foramen ovale closure. Elevated factor VIII levels indicated a hypercoagulable state, and treatment with heparin and aspirin resolved the clot.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Interventional Cardiology
  • Thrombosis

Background:

  • Patent foramen ovale (PFO) closure is a common procedure to prevent stroke.
  • Device-associated thrombus formation is a rare but serious complication.
  • Cryptogenic strokes necessitate investigation into potential embolic sources like PFO.

Observation:

  • A CardioSeal Septal Occlusion device was implanted for PFO closure.
  • Thrombus formation occurred on the left atrial disc 14 days post-implantation.
  • The patient had a history of multiple cryptogenic strokes.

Findings:

  • Elevated factor VIII levels were detected, suggesting a hypercoagulable state.
  • Medical management with heparin and aspirin led to complete clot resolution.
  • This case highlights a potential complication of transcatheter PFO closure.

Implications:

  • Early detection and management of device-related thrombus are crucial.
  • Hypercoagulable states may increase the risk of thrombus formation after device implantation.
  • Further research is needed to optimize anticoagulation strategies in patients with PFO and hypercoagulability.

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