Device-in-device: A transcatheter alternative to surgical explantation of a failing atrial septal defect intracardiac prosthesis.

A failing intracardiac device is traditionally addressed by open-heart surgery. Surgical explantation of the device, although a simple procedure, carries risks that some patients are not able or willing to cope with. Thus, a nonsurgical option seems desirable in selected cases. We report on four cases of early malfunction of the Polyvinyl Alcohol membrane of Ultrasept II™ CARDIA ASD devices. In all cases, transthoracic echo (TTE) surveillance 4-6 months after the index procedure, depicted significant left-to-right atrial shunts through the center portion of the devices. A second nitinol double disk device with a connecting pin (Lifetech CERA™ Multifenestrated ASD device) was implanted over the CARDIA devices, with excellent results. All procedures were uneventful and all patients are asymptomatic with no residual shunts, in short-term follow-up. This device-in-device technique prevents surgical explantation of failing ASD devices, and may become a less invasive option in selected patients. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.