Abstract
Abstract Introduction Atrial septal defects are the second most frequent congenital heart diseases and their treatment of choice is the percutaneous approach. Complications associated are infrequent and are mainly related with the puncture. Other complications such as embolism or endocarditis are uncommon. Clinical case A 17-year-old woman whose only medical history of interest was an ostium secundum-type atrial septal defect that was treated percutaneously implanting a 24-mm Amplatzer septal occlude. 15 months after the procedure she came to the emergency room presenting 40°C fever and a headache. Physical examination and tests results were normal, being discharged with antibiotic treatment. She returned 24 hours later due to persistence of the same symptoms. An echocardiogram was performed, revealing an endocarditic growth and uncomplete endothelization of the amplatzer. Following 10 days of antibiogram-guided therapy with good response, she underwent surgery. The device was extracted and the defect closed. PCR was positive for H. Parainfluenzae. The patient was discharged on the 7th day with antibiotic therapy. Discussion This case is relevant due to the late presentation of IE, incomplete endothelization and to being caused by infrequent IE germ source with a negative blood culture. Despite the low prevalence of these complications, it is necessary to rule them out through imaging tests as well as microbiological tests. Appropriate length of bacterial coverage usually extends from 6 months to 1 year after implantation. Documented cases of prosthetic IE related to incorrect endothelial coverage can lead to reassessing the time period during which prophylaxis should be maintained.
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