Recurrent Stroke after Percutaneous Placement of Post-Infarct Septal Occluder Device

Surgical intervention for post-infarct ventricular septal defect (VSD) is a challenging procedure due to patients’ complex preoperative conditions. While percutaneous VSD closure can be considered as an alternative to surgical repair, complete closure of the defect remains difficult and is associated with various procedural complications. We report a rare case of a patient with postoperative residual shunts who experienced recurrent stroke episodes, requiring surgical intervention for repair. The patient, a 71-year-old female, developed acute anterior myocardial infarction and post-infarct VSD. Percutaneous closure with a 14-mm Amplatzer VSD occluder device was performed, yet the closure was incomplete. Following discharge, she developed multiple embolic stroke episodes, likely stemming from the residual VSD, which led to the surgical extraction of the device and VSD repair. Fibrous tissue was found to be solely attached to the core and right ventricle side of the device, whilst no fibrous tissue was observed on the side of the left ventricle. The patient has not experienced new neurological symptoms at an 18-month follow-up. Thus, it is paramount to keep in mind that an embolic stroke may occur in the setting of percutaneous post-infarct VSD closure. Surgical repair of VSD with device removal should be considered as a treatment option to such a complex case.