About
Small holes between the upper chambers of the heart may be either an atrial septal defect (ASD) or patent foramen ovale (PFO). An ASD is a congenital heart defect, a condition that you are born with. PFOs occur after birth when the foramen ovale fails to close.
Typically, folks with PFO have no symptoms, but have an increased risk of developing:
- Migraine headaches
- Blood clots, which could lead to a stroke
- Low oxygen levels (platypnea-orthodeoxia)
- Shortness of breath and dizziness if you suffer from low oxygen levels
A PFO is often found during tests for other health problems.
How Does the PFO/ASD Closure Device Work?
- A thin, flexible tube (catheter) is inserted into a blood vessel, usually in the groin, and guided to the heart using imaging techniques.
- A mesh patch or plug is passed through the catheter and used to close the hole.
- Heart tissue grows around the seal, permanently closing the hole.
Benefits and Recovery Time
Most patients return home the same day as their PFO closure and can return to their usual activities within a week. An echocardiogram will be performed 30 days to six months after the procedure to confirm complete closure. A PFO closure device remains in the heart permanently.
The PFO/ASD closure device can be an effective option to improve the quality of life in patients who otherwise have limited choices for closing holes between the upper chambers of the heart.
- Reduces the risk of developing heart failure over time
- Reduces the risk of stroke more than medication
- Improved energy levels
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