Question 1

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 2

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 3

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 4

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 5

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 6

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 7

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.

Question 8

a newborn with a pfo (patent foramen ovale) has what other conditions?

Accepted Answer

PFO: An opening between two chambers of the heart that will normally close on it's own in a few days or weeks, your pediatrician can follow this in conjunction with a peds cardiologist. Not to worry about other problems neccissarily.

Question 9

can having a patent foramen ovale cause permanent damage to the heart?

Accepted Answer

No: A patent foramen oval is present in up to 1/3 of the population. Their presence does not cause damage to the heart.

Question 10

what does small patent foramen ovale with noted bidirectional shunt mean?

Accepted Answer

A small hole: in the wall between the atria, the upper chambers of the heart.  Bidirectional flow means the right and left sided pressures are equal so blood flows in both directions.

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Patent foramen ovale and pregnancy

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How to correct patent foramen ovale?

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What are the tests for patent foramen ovale?

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What are the symptoms of patent foramen ovale?

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Can i excercise if i have a patent foramen ovale?

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What is the procedure for fixing a patent foramen ovale?

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

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What is the treatment for patent foramen ovale?

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A newborn with a pfo (patent foramen ovale) has what other conditions?

A member asked:

Can having a patent foramen ovale cause permanent damage to the heart?

A member asked:

What does small patent foramen ovale with noted bidirectional shunt mean?

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