Comparison of Two Percutaneous Atrial Septal Defect Occluders for Device Healing and Nickel Release in a Chronic Porcine Model

Figure 4

Scanning electron microscopy images showing device coverage. (A)–(C) Right atrial disk of an ASO 3 months after implantation; device covering is complete (A) with large areas of acellular fibrotic tissue (B, C). (D)–(F) Left atrial disk of the same ASO 3 months after implantation, and endothelial cells were observed as soon as 1 month after implantation and were more or less organized in cells clusters with cellular fibrotic tissue displayed in white (E, F). ASO: Amplatzer septal occluder.