A 32-year-old member asked:
what is the difference between pfo and pda?
2 doctor answers • 8 doctors weighed in
Dr. Mark Rasak answered
Cardiology 33 years experience
Both congenital defe: Pfo is when the right atrium and left atrium communicate through a congenital foramen or " hole" . The passage between the 2 chambers is neccessary before birth so the baby can get oxygenated blood from its mom. When this fails to close(up to 20%), its called a patent foramen ovale.The ductus arteriosus connects the aorta and pulmonary artey . It usually closes after birth, if it doesnt its a pda.
5798 views
Dr. Troy Reyna answered
Pediatric Surgery 44 years experience
Very different: Pfo is a patent forman ovale, a persistent opening between the two upper chambers of the heart that usually closes shortly after birth. Pda is a persistent connection. Between the aorta and pulmonary artery which also closes shortly after birth. These changes facilitate the transition from intrauterine life to extra uterine life.
5086 views
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A 41-year-old member asked:
Does a PFO ever fix itself on its own?
2 doctor answers • 5 doctors weighed in
Dr. William Scott answered
Pediatric Cardiology 39 years experience
No: Pfo stands for patent (or open) foramen ovale. The foramen ovale usually closes shortly after birth. If it remains open beyond this time, it does not close. A PFO rarely causes problems and is present in many people.
6312 views
A 30-year-old member asked:
What does it meant to have a PFO closure procedure?
2 doctor answers • 5 doctors weighed in
Dr. Louis Grenzer answered
Cardiology 55 years experience
Close hole in heart: There is a connection between the left and right sides of the heart before you are born which normally closes at birth. Sometimes it does not close. It used to require surgery to close that hole but now a device can be put through the hole by putting a catheter (tube) into the heart through a vein in the leg. The device then is pushed through the hole. The device springs open and closes the hole.
6314 views
A 29-year-old member asked:
How life threatening is having a pfo?
2 doctor answers • 5 doctors weighed in
Dr. William Davis answered
Vascular Surgery 39 years experience
Zero to bad!: 25% of us have a pfo and obviously most of us do fine. However i operated on a young lady yesterday (for a related condition) who was in severe congestive heart failure, mostly resolved by closing her pfo. Closure (if deemed necessary by a cardiologist) can often be achieved with catheter-based technology (amplatzer plug) rather than open-heart surgery.
5838 views
A 47-year-old member asked:
What should I ask my doctor before I have a PFO closure?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
Dr. Cynthia Thaik answered
Cardiology 31 years experience
See below: Pfo do not need to be closed unless causing stroke or systemic embolism or if associated with severe migraines. This needs to be distinguished from a atrial septal defect. So what i would ask is whether surgery indicated.
5738 views
Elizabethton, TN
A 36-year-old female asked:
What treatment is needed for interatrial septum aneurysmal with pfo, severe tricuspid reguritation, elevated rvsp?
2 doctor answers • 3 doctors weighed in
Dr. Calvin Weisberger answered
Cardiology 51 years experience
Syndrome : More information is needed to make a determination. Should consult with your doctor and if desired get additional opinion from another who has all the information about the patient.
5150 views
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Last updated Nov 15, 2017
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