What are the symptoms of ventricular foramen ovale problems?

Foramen Ovale: A foramen ovale (pfo) is a small hole between the two upper chambers of the heart. It exists as part of the "fetal circulation, " when babies are inside, lungs are full of amniotic fluid. The pfo allows oxygenated blood returning from the placenta to cross into the left atrium. Pfos usually close, however if they do not there is a very small risk for a stroke or tia. Most people have no symptoms.

Unclear so far: There are some concerns that, in some pts with migraine, there may be a relationship, but closure of the foramen ovale has met with mixed results. Paradoxical emboli to the brain have caused strokes and/or tia's, and both closure and anticoagulants are used. However, in most cases, this is merely a coincidental finding, and not usually requiring surgical closure.