Patent Foramen Ovale Closure
Patent Foramen Ovale Closure
Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO) closure is a procedure used to treat a small hole in the heart called a patent foramen ovale.
The procedure is commonly recommended for patients who have experienced unexplained strokes, especially when there is evidence of a right-to-left shunt through the PFO.
PFO is a condition which occurs when the foramen ovale – a passageway between the left and right atria – fails to close after birth and can sometimes lead to complications such as stroke or transient ischemic attacks (TIAs). During a PFO closure, a small device is inserted through a catheter to close the hole in the heart. The procedure is minimally invasive and is designed to prevent blood from flowing between the two atria, reducing the risk of blood clots passing from the right to the left atrium, which can lead to serious complications such as a stroke. This procedure avoids the need for open-heart surgery, reducing both recovery time and risks.
Preparing for your visit
The procedure will take place at a Hospital Catheterisation Laboratory. You will be given a check in time and have consultation with the surgical team before the procedure.
Patent Foramen Ovale Closure is typically completed within 1 hour to 2 hours however we recommend speaking to your specialist about hospital preparation and recovery time.
- You will be taken to the Cath Lab and asked to lie on a moveable narrow table.
- You will be connected to a few monitoring devices and then the shaved parts (typically the groin) will be cleaned and sterilised with a special solution (which may feel cold). After that your whole body will be covered with sterile drapes.
- A sheath will be inserted into the artery where various catheters, wires and instruments will be inserted to reach the heart.
- As the catheter is advanced to your heart, you may feel slight pressure but minimal discomfort.
- Once the catheter reaches the area of the patent foramen ovale (PFO), the cardiologist positions it across the septal wall (the tissue separating the two upper chambers of the heart).
- A special closure device, typically made of two discs or a mesh-like structure, is delivered through the catheter and carefully positioned to cover both sides of the hole in the heart. Once in place, the closure device securely seals the PFO and remains there permanently.
- The cardiologist uses imaging techniques, such as echocardiography (ultrasound of the heart), to confirm that the device is properly positioned and the PFO is fully closed.
- The catheter is carefully removed and the patient is monitored for recovery.
- It is important to note that over time, the heart tissue will grow over the closure device, integrating it into the heart and permanently sealing the PFO.
PFO Closure is usually completed under local anaesthesia to numb the area where the catheter is inserted. You may also receive mild sedation to help you relax.
