Percutaneous closure of acquired Gerbode defect: management of a rare complication of cardiac surgery
Zaher Fanari1, Armin Barekatain2, Niksad Abraham2
1Section of Cardiology, Christiana Care Health System, Newark, DE, USA zfanari@christianacare.org zfanari@gmail.com.
Insights
Acquired Gerbode defect, an abnormal connection between the left ventricle and right atrium, can cause heart failure after valve surgery. Percutaneous closure may be the best option for high-risk patients.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Cardiac Surgery
- Interventional Cardiology
Background:
- Acquired Gerbode defect is a rare complication following myocardial infarction, endocarditis, or aortic/mitral valve replacement.
- This defect results in a left-to-right shunt, leading to resistant heart failure.
Abstract:
Although rare, acquired Gerbode defect (abnormal communication between left ventricle and right atrium) may result as a complication of myocardial infarction, endocarditis as well as aortic or mitral valve replacement resulting in resistant heart failure secondary to significant left to right shunting. We are reporting the case of a 50-year old lady with repeated aortic valve replacement presenting with resistant heart failure secondary to an acquired Gerbode defect. Management of this defect in these high-risk patients may be challenging and percutaneous closure, if feasible, may represent the best management option.
