Question 1

what is a patent foramen ovale?

Accepted Answer

A hole in the heart: A patent foramen ovale (pfo) is a necessary hole between two upper chambers of the heart. This hole allows fetal blood circulation to occurr. Once the baby is born, circulation changes, the hole closes to allow normal post natal human circulatuin pathway. It remains open in a small number of patients and is usually asymptomatic.

Question 2

how to correct patent foramen ovale?

Accepted Answer

Usually nothing: A pfo is a remnant of the fetal circulation--everyone is born with this small flap in the wall between the 2 upper heart chambers. For most people this flap eventually fuses shut, but for some it never closes. 10-20% of people are walking around with a pfo and need no treatment or intervention. In the rare cases where it needs to be closed, a catheterization procedure can close it w/o surgery.

Question 3

what are the tests for patent foramen ovale?

Accepted Answer

Echocardiogram: An ultrasound of the heart, called an echocardiogram, can detect patent foramen ovale - which, incidentally, is present in about a fourth of normal hearts and not always a cause for concern.

Question 4

what are the symptoms of patent foramen ovale?

Accepted Answer

Mostly asymptomatic: A patent foramen ovale is a common developmental anomaly and is usually asymptomatic, if there are no other cardiac abnormalities.  It does predispose the person to an uncommon event called paradoxical embolism where a venous embolus crosses over to the arterial side.

Question 5

can i excercise if i have a patent foramen ovale?

Accepted Answer

Yes: This is a relatively normal finding in people & seldom if ever limits their activities in any way. Have a discussion with the physician who knows all your other issues well before you embark on any exercise program. Other issues are likely much more important than a pfo to influence any exercise risk.

Question 6

what is the procedure for fixing a patent foramen ovale?

Accepted Answer

Catheter based: A PFO is usually repaired with a heart catheterization. An occluding device is delivered with a catheter from the leg and placed in the pfo. Closure is usually 100% effective.

Question 7

is there a downside to keep a patent foramen ovale in a child?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Statistically there are up 1/4 people with a patent foramen ovale.  Most are inconsequential.  However, in a select few, these have been associated with migraine's, difficulty breathing, a rare syndrome called platypnea orthodeoxia syndrome and occult strokes.

Question 8

is it possible for a child to have a patent foramen ovale (pfo) and a patent ductis arteriosus (pda)?

Accepted Answer

Yes: It is a normal feature of the heart prior to birth and may persist in some. The PDA is usually picked up on exam, the pfo would only be accessible to advanced studies.

Question 9

can you give me more info on experience with a child who has a patent foramen ovale (pfo) and a patent ductis arteriosus (pda)?

Accepted Answer

Common: All normal fetuses have a pfo and a pda.  These are connections between the "left heart" and the "right heart" that allow blood to bypass the lungs and flow properly to the placenta.  Typically, in the first 24 hours after birth, the PDA closes.  Pfo closure can be more gradual and can be present for many months, and still be a normal finding.  Persistent patency can be a problem.

Question 10

what is the treatment for patent foramen ovale?

Accepted Answer

Options: There are different options available for the closure of a patent foramen ovale. In some patients, no treatment is necessary so long as there are no associated troubles. Those requiring closure have options that can include surgery or more commonly a percutaneous closure. This involves a cardiac catheterization to assess the size of the hole and then placement of a device to close the hole.

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