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Reduction of Iatrogenic Atrial Septal Defects with an Anterior and Inferior Transseptal Puncture Site when Operating the Cryoballoon Ablation Catheter
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Reduction of Iatrogenic Atrial Septal Defects with an Anterior and Inferior Transseptal Puncture Site when Operating the Cryoballoon Ablation Catheter

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Coronary embolism following atrial septal defect repair

C L Backer1, R S Hartz, S N Meyers

  • 1Department of Surgery, Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago, IL 60611.

The Annals of Thoracic Surgery
|May 1, 1988
PubMed

Insights

Coronary embolism after atrial septal defect repair is a rare complication. This case report suggests temporary anticoagulation may prevent this serious adverse event following surgical repair.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Surgery
  • Interventional Cardiology
  • Thromboembolic Disease

Background:

  • Atrial septal defect (ASD) is a common congenital heart defect.
  • Surgical repair, often with pericardial patch, is standard treatment for secundum ASD.
  • While generally safe, surgical repair carries risks of thromboembolic complications.

Observation:

  • A 29-year-old woman underwent successful pericardial patch repair for a secundum ASD.
  • On postoperative day five, she developed an angiographically confirmed embolus.
  • The embolus occluded the circumflex coronary artery.

Findings:

  • This represents the first reported case of coronary embolism post-ASD repair.
  • The timing suggests a possible link to the surgical procedure or patch material.
  • The circumflex artery was the affected coronary vessel.

Implications:

  • Coronary embolism is a potential, previously unreported complication of ASD repair.
  • Temporary postoperative anticoagulation should be considered to mitigate this risk.
  • Further research is warranted to elucidate the exact mechanism and optimal prevention strategies.

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