Aorta-to-Left Atrial Fistula Developing After Surgical Removal of an Atrial Septal Occlusion Device Eight Years After Original Implantation

Cardiac erosions may occur in a small percentage of patients after device closure of atrial septal defects. These devices have to be explanted. We report an aorta-to-left atrial fistula after surgical explantation of the device eight years after implant for access to mitral valve repair. The importance of realizing the risk of subclinical cardiac erosion and subsequent fistula development after device removal is discussed.