Patent foramen ovale (PFO)

What is a Patent foramen ovale (PFO)?
Overview
A patent foramen ovale (PFO) is a hole in the heart that didn’t close
the way it should after birth. The hole is a small flaplike opening
between the upper heart chambers. The upper chambers of the heart
are called the atria.
As a baby grows in the womb, an opening called the foramen ovale
(foh-RAY-mun oh-VAY-lee) sits between the upper heart chambers. It
typically closes during infancy. When the foramen ovale doesn’t
close, it’s called a patent foramen ovale.
Most people never need treatment for patent foramen ovale.
Causes
It’s unclear why the foramen ovale stays open in some people.
Genetics may play a role.
Complications
A patent foramen ovale, also called a PFO usually doesn’t cause
complications. Some people with a PFO may have other heart defects

Possible complications of patent foramen ovale may include:
– Low blood oxygen. Rarely, a patent foramen ovale can cause a
significant amount of blood to go around the lungs. This lowers
blood oxygen levels, a condition called hypoxemia.
– Stroke. Sometimes small blood clots in veins may travel to the
heart. They may go through a patent foramen ovale and into the
left side of the heart. From there, they can travel to the brain and
block blood flow, causing an ischemic stroke.
Some studies have found that PFO are more common in people with
unexplained strokes and migraines with aura. But more research is
needed. Usually, there are other reasons for these conditions. It’s
often just a coincidence a person also has a PFO.

Treatment
A Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO) closure is a minimally invasive,
catheter-based procedure that seals a small, flap-like opening
between the heart’s upper chambers (atria). It is primarily performed
to prevent recurrent strokes in patients with a PFO by stopping clots
from traveling through the heart to the brain.
Key Details About the Procedure:
– Procedure: A doctor inserts a catheter through a vein in the
groin, guiding a small, clam-shell-shaped device (often made of
nitinol) to the heart to cover the opening, acting as a "plug".
– Purpose:
To prevent the passage of blood clots from the right atrium to the left
atrium, which can cause cryptogenic (unknown cause) strokes
.
– Recovery: It is an outpatient procedure, meaning patients
usually go home the same day.

– Risks: While rare, potential complications include bleeding,
infection, arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats), or the device
moving out of place.