Clinical, echocardiographic and histopathologic findings in nine patients with surgically explanted ASD/PFO devices: Do we know enough about the healing process in humans?

Late complications after device implantation may occur up to 8 years after device implantation and may be potentially live threatening. Echocardiographic controls should be prolonged beyond the first year after implantation and every explanted device should be histologically worked up in an experienced center. Up to now, the mechanisms of late thrombogenesis are not fully understood.