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Updated: Jan 16, 2026
10:52
Closure of a Patent Foramen Ovale PFO: An Intervention Sequence
Published on: December 23, 2022
5.4K
Percutaneous Patent Foramen Ovale Closure Device Endocarditis
Stefan Milutinovic1, Berniece Johnson2, Claudiu Ciuciureanu2
1Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA.
JACC. Case Reports
|October 3, 2025
Summary
Endocarditis, an infection of heart valve or device, can occur rarely after patent foramen ovale closure. This case highlights methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus endocarditis on an occlusion device.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Patent foramen ovale (PFO) closure devices are used to treat conditions like stroke.
- Device-related endocarditis is a rare but serious complication.
- Early diagnosis and management are crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report a rare case of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) endocarditis on a PFO occlusion device.
- To illustrate the utility of echocardiography in diagnosing device-related endocarditis.
Main Methods:
- Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) was performed on a patient with suspected endocarditis.
- Blood and device aspiration cultures were obtained.
- Clinical presentation and imaging findings were analyzed.
Main Results:
- TEE revealed vegetations on a PFO occlusion device in the intra-atrial septum.
- Blood cultures were positive for MRSA.
- The patient presented with fever and hip pain.
Conclusions:
- Endocarditis on PFO occlusion devices is a rare complication, often occurring early after implantation.
- Incomplete endothelialization may increase the risk of microbial seeding.
- Further research is needed to optimize endocarditis prophylaxis guidelines for these devices.
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