The Gerbode defect is defined as an abnormal communication between the left ventricle and the right atrium, and is etiologically classified as congenital or acquired (iatrogenic or not). The typical treatment consists of surgical repair of the shunt, but transcatheter occlusion of this condition has proven to be a safe and effective therapeutic alternative for such patients, especially for those with prior surgeries. The aim of this study was to report a case of transcatheter closure of an acquired Gerbode defect, using the Amplatzer™ Septal Occluder device, in a 58-year-old patient, with two prior mitral valve replacements, and the consequent post-procedure mechanical hemolysis.
Mechanical hemolysis secondary to percutaneous repair of an iatrogenic Gerbode defect with the Amplatzer™ Septal Occluder
Costa,Marcio José Montenegro and Quintella,Edgard Freitas and Hadid,Leonardo and Nasr,Verônica and Lacoste,Maximiliano Otero and Fuchs,Alexandre. Mechanical hemolysis secondary to percutaneous repair of an iatrogenic Gerbode defect with the Amplatzer™ Septal Occluder. J Transcat Intervent [online]. 2021, vol.29, [cited 2026-03-06], Available from: <https://jotci.org/article/mechanical-hemolysis-secondary-to-percutaneous-repair-of-an-iatrogenic-gerbode-defect-with-the-amplatzer-septal-occluder/>. ISSN . http://doi.org/10.31160/JOTCI202129A20210028.
Costa,Marcio José Montenegro; Quintella,Edgard Freitas; Hadid,Leonardo; Nasr,Verônica; Lacoste,Maximiliano Otero; Fuchs,Alexandre. Mechanical hemolysis secondary to percutaneous repair of an iatrogenic Gerbode defect with the Amplatzer™ Septal Occluder. J Transcat Intervent, v.29, Dec. 2021. Available from: <https://jotci.org/article/mechanical-hemolysis-secondary-to-percutaneous-repair-of-an-iatrogenic-gerbode-defect-with-the-amplatzer-septal-occluder/>. acess on 06 Mar. 2026. http://doi.org/10.31160/JOTCI202129A20210028.
Costa,Marcio José Montenegro, & Quintella,Edgard Freitas, & Hadid,Leonardo, & Nasr,Verônica, & Lacoste,Maximiliano Otero, & Fuchs,Alexandre. (2021). Mechanical hemolysis secondary to percutaneous repair of an iatrogenic Gerbode defect with the Amplatzer™ Septal Occluder. J Transcat Intervent, 29, http://doi.org/10.31160/JOTCI202129A20210028.
CostaMarcio José Montenegro, QuintellaEdgard Freitas, HadidLeonardo, NasrVerônica, LacosteMaximiliano Otero, FuchsAlexandre. Mechanical hemolysis secondary to percutaneous repair of an iatrogenic Gerbode defect with the Amplatzer™ Septal Occluder. J Transcat Intervent [Internet]. 2021 Dec [cited 2026 Mar 06]; 29: Available from: https://jotci.org/article/mechanical-hemolysis-secondary-to-percutaneous-repair-of-an-iatrogenic-gerbode-defect-with-the-amplatzer-septal-occluder/. http://doi.org/10.31160/JOTCI202129A20210028.
Figure 2
Schematic representation demonstrating Gerbode defect occlusion, Amplatzer™ Septal Occluder, and post-procedure right atrium-left ventricle flow Doppler. (1) Red line: previously implanted pacemaker lead. (2) Blue line: pigtail catheter positioned in the left ventricle. (3) Schematic representation of the metallic valve prosthesis in mitral position. (4) Schematic representation of the atrial septal defect prosthesis implanted in the Gerbode defect. (5) Doppler after defect closure.
LA: left atrium; LV: left ventricle; RV: right ventricle; RA: right atrium.