In the past the standard therapy for significant atrial septal defect was surgical closure. In the presence of a patent foramen ovale with otherwise unexplained (cryptogenic) cerebral embolism, the therapy was oral anticoagulation or antiplatelet therapy. Surgery was considered only in the event of recurrence. Percutaneous transcatheter occlusion of atrial septal defect and patent foramen ovale is a new and valuable alternative to surgical closure. This report presents current knowledge and our own experience of nonsurgical closure of atrial septal defects and patent foramen ovale.