Your Trusted Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO)Treatment and Prevention Experts In South Dakota
What is Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO)
Approximately one in 4 people are born with a patent foramen ovale, or PFO. A PFO is a small hole between the upper chambers of the heart, called the atria, which didn’t close after birth. Most people with PFOs do not need treatment. In rare cases, a PFO can lead to complications such as stroke, low blood oxygen levels, and possibly migraine headaches.
Diagnosis of Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO)
Most patients with a PFO are diagnosed incidentally, or when performing a test for another reason. The most common example is when patients undergo a transthoracic echocardiogram, or “echo.” This test uses sound waves to obtain real-time images of the heart muscle, and in many patients a small PFO is identified.
If patients experience a stroke without a definitive cause, called a “Cryptogenic stroke” or embolic stroke of undetermined source (ESUS), an echocardiogram is used to look for a PFO.
Treatment of Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO)
- Some patients who suffer a stroke of undetermined cause benefit from PFO closure.
- This can be performed by a cardiothoracic surgeon, but over 90% of cases are treated by interventional cardiologists using a minimally invasive procedure.
- This procedure is performed to prevent additional strokes.
- Additionally, for patients with “high-risk” occupations, such as commercial airline pilots or heavy machine operators, a PFO closure may be considered if one is detected.
Experienced Care for Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO) Symptoms in the Black Hills
If you have been diagnosed with a PFO, or have suffered a stroke without known cause, please call Black Hills Heart and Vascular at (605) 503-8192 to schedule an appointment.
