Thrombus formation on amplatzer septal occluder device: pinning down the cause

The use of interatrial septal occluder devices is an efficacious and less invasive alternative to open heart surgery for the repair of atrial septal defects. These devices present significant risks including thrombus formation on the device and subsequent thromboembolic events. We present a case of a woman who presented with stroke-like symptoms five years after PFO closure. The patient was subsequently found to have a thrombus on the occluder device. Our case highlights the risk of such thrombolic phenomenon and the risk associated with the device structure as a nidus for such a complication.