Successful device closure of an acquired Gerbode defect

Left ventricle to right atrial communications, collectively known as Gerbode defects, are usually congenital defects and surgical closure remains the treatment of choice. We report a rare case of Gerbode defect acquired following surgical closure of a ventricular septal defect. The defect was successfully closed percutaneously with an Amplatzer ventricular septal occluder. The patient remained symptom free with optimal result on echo at 6 months of follow-up. This is the first reported case of successful device closure of an acquired Gerbode defect. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.