Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 29, 2026

Echocardiographic Evaluation of Atrial Communications before Transcatheter Closure
Published on: February 8, 2022
Left Atrial Mass After Patent Foramen Ovale Closure
Rohan Shah1, Kareem Elgendi1, Luke Thompson1
1HCA Healthcare USF Morsani College of Medicine GME, HCA FL Northside Hospital, St Petersburg, Florida, USA.
Image(S):
Transesophageal echocardiography, cardiac computed tomography, and histopathology.
Case Summary:
A 50-year-old man with previous cryptogenic stroke and patent foramen ovale closure was found to have a large mobile mass on the left atrial side of the occluder approximately 33 months after implantation. Surgical extraction was performed because of embolic risk. Pathology demonstrated benign myocardium mixed with adipose tissue, supporting atypical endothelialization rather than thrombus or infection.
Take-Home Messages:
Late masses on patent foramen ovale occluder devices may mimic thrombus or vegetation. Multimodality imaging, surgical inspection, and pathology are essential for diagnosis.
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