Question 1

have had stroke, had toe test on heart found pfo tunnel with right left shunt permanently. and prominent ev. should this be closed?

Accepted Answer

Not yet: I question your right to left permanent shunt.  In otherwise normal hearts the pressure on the left side is higher, making right to left shunting episodic at best.  The current trials do not support closure of pfos to prevent stroke.

Question 2

i had a tee it showed moderate shunting. the doctor said it could be a pfo or an avm. pfo bubbles 1-2 and avm bubbles 4-6, mine 3-4?

Accepted Answer

There are no: Hard & fast rules when it comes to this.  The #s you are referring to are the number of cardiac cycles before bubbles are seen on the left side of the heart.  3-4 favors pfo over intrapulomnary shunting (late passage).

Question 3

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.

Question 4

if i have an asa, pfo with interatrial shunting visible on tee am i at an increased risk for a stroke and is there anything i can do to decrease risk?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Presence of pfo is associated with increased risk of stroke. You should  consult a doctor and may benefit from taking a low dose Aspirin daily. Also you may be a candidate for pfo closure.

Question 5

how common are my cardio findings? all were said to be "small". leaky mitral valve, pfo with minimal shunting and asa. dr says no need to treat at all

Accepted Answer

Not uncommon: Many people have a small amount of Mitral leak. PFO are reasonably common, and mild shunting (Lft --&gt; RT) is common when one is found. Danger is PFO can itself cause  COPD (lung disease, also caused by Asthma &amp;  esp smoking). Is ASA aspirin?. Baby Aspirin tends to prevent COPD which occurs rarely w PFO. COPD then causes RT -&gt; LFT shunting which can lead to systemic emboli (clots). So don`t smoke!

Question 6

is a pfo the same as atrial septal defect? echo states abnormal shunt suggestive small atrial septal defect.what does suggestive mean is it def small?

Accepted Answer

ASD: A pfo is also an asd. Small ASD is usually fairly easy to tell on echo. Suggestive readings generally are subtle findings. Ask the doctor what the test means, without seeing it, we can't be sure.

Question 7

can endocarditis cause atrial septal aneurysm with a pfo or asd shunt?

Accepted Answer

Endocarditis is an: infection of the heart. Atrial septal aneurysm, patent foramen and atrial septal defects are anatomical variants determined by your genetic makeup and embryological development. There is no causal relationship between the two.

Question 8

chest pain left upper quadrant come n go shortness of breath racing heart beat . asthma n a pfo help what should i do?

Accepted Answer

You: Should be seen first by your family practitioner/cardiologist who is aware  about your pfo. You may also have pots. Check it out, google first the term postural orthostatic tachycardic syndrome.

Question 9

how is an emboli able to traverse a patent foramen ovale if the net flow of blood is from left to right atrium?

Accepted Answer

Paradox: This  does seem to be a paradox but while the net flow is in the opposite direction there is some flow from right to left.  If the clot is near there at just the right time it  goes troug.

Question 10

had a bubble study for recurrent left side weakness which revealed patent foramen ovale. is this serious?

Accepted Answer

: You become a candidate for closure if you had recurrent CVA attacks. Your cardiologist remains your best reference at this point, all details matter.

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Doctor answers about:

Pfo with left to right shunt

A member asked:

Have had stroke, had toe test on heart found pfo tunnel with right left shunt permanently. and prominent ev. should this be closed?

A member asked:

I had a tee it showed moderate shunting. the doctor said it could be a pfo or an avm. pfo bubbles 1-2 and avm bubbles 4-6, mine 3-4?

A member asked:

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

A member asked:

If i have an asa, pfo with interatrial shunting visible on tee am i at an increased risk for a stroke and is there anything i can do to decrease risk?

A member asked:

How common are my cardio findings? all were said to be "small". leaky mitral valve, pfo with minimal shunting and asa. dr says no need to treat at all

A member asked:

Is a pfo the same as atrial septal defect? echo states abnormal shunt suggestive small atrial septal defect.what does suggestive mean is it def small?

A member asked:

Can endocarditis cause atrial septal aneurysm with a pfo or asd shunt?

A member asked:

Chest pain left upper quadrant come n go shortness of breath racing heart beat . asthma n a pfo help what should i do?

A member asked:

How is an emboli able to traverse a patent foramen ovale if the net flow of blood is from left to right atrium?

A member asked:

Had a bubble study for recurrent left side weakness which revealed patent foramen ovale. is this serious?

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