Patent foramen ovale (patient information): Difference between revisions

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'''For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click [[Patent foramen ovale |here]]'''
'''For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click [[Patent foramen ovale |here]]'''


{{CMG}}; '''Associate Editors-In-Chief:''' [[Priyamvada Singh|Priyamvada Singh, M.B.B.S.]] [mailto:psingh13579@gmail.com]; '''Assistant Editor-In-Chief:''' [[Kristin Feeney|Kristin Feeney, B.S.]] [mailto:kfeeney@elon.edu]
{{CMG}}; '''Associate Editors-In-Chief:''' [[Priyamvada Singh|Priyamvada Singh, M.B.B.S.]] [mailto:psingh13579@gmail.com], {{IO}}, [[Kristin Feeney|Kristin Feeney, B.S.]] [mailto:kfeeney@elon.edu]


==Overview==
==Overview==
While a baby grows in the womb, there is a normal opening between the [[left atrium|left]] and [[right atria]] (upper chambers) of the heart. If this opening fails to close naturally soon after the baby is born, the hole is called patent foramen ovale (PFO).
While a baby grows in the womb, there is a normal opening between the [[left atrium|left]] and [[right atria]] (upper chambers) of the heart. If this opening fails to close naturally soon after the baby is born, the hole is called patent foramen ovale (PFO).
{{#ev:youtube|qkh-7UbJ0GM}}
{{#ev:youtube|qkh-7UbJ0GM}}


==What are the symptoms of Patent foramen ovale?==
==What are the symptoms of Patent foramen ovale?==
Infants with a patent foramen ovale and no other heart defects do not have [[symptom]]s.
Infants with a patent foramen ovale and no other heart defects usually do not have [[symptom]]s.


==What causes Patent foramen ovale?==
==What causes Patent foramen ovale?==
A foramen ovale allows blood to bypass the [[lung]]s. A baby's lungs are not used when it grows in the womb, so the hole does not cause problems in an unborn [[infant]]. The opening is supposed to close soon after [[birth]], but sometimes it does not. In about 1 out of 4 people, the opening never closes. If it does not, it is called a patent foramen ovale (PFO). The cause of a PFO is unknown.  
While a fetus grows in the uterus, its lungs are not functional. The foramen ovale allows blood to bypass the lungs so it does not cause issues in the fetus.  
The opening is supposed to close soon after [[birth]], but sometimes it does not. In about 1 out of 4 people, the opening never closes. If it does not, it is called a patent foramen ovale (PFO). The cause of a patent foramen ovale is unknown.


==Who is at highest risk?==
==Who is at highest risk?==
There are no known risk factors.
There are no known risk factors.
==Diagnosis==
An [[echocardiogram]] can be done to diagnose patent foramen ovale. If the patent foramen ovale is not easily seen, a [[cardiologist]] can perform a "bubble test." Saline solution (salt water) is injected into the body as the cardiologist watches the heart on an [[ultrasound]] ([[echocardiogram]]) monitor. If a patent foramen exists, tiny air bubbles will be seen moving from the right to left side of the [[heart]].


==When to seek urgent medical care?==
==When to seek urgent medical care?==
Mostly patent foramen ovale stays asymptomatic. In case of development of weakness of any part of body ([[stroke]]) seek urgent care.
Mostly patent foramen ovale stays asymptomatic. In case of development of weakness of any part of body ([[stroke]]), seek urgent care.
 
==Diagnosis==
An [[echocardiogram]] can be done to diagnose a PFO. If the PFO is not easily seen, a [[cardiologist]] can perform a "bubble test." Saline solution (salt water) is injected into the body as the cardiologist watches the heart on an [[ultrasound]] (echocardiogram) monitor. If a PFO exists, tiny air bubbles will be seen moving from the right to left side of the [[heart]].


==Treatment options==
==Treatment options==
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==Where to find medical care for an Patent foramen ovale?==
==Where to find medical care for an Patent foramen ovale?==
[http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Atrial+septal+defect+%28patient+information%29&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=65.008093,112.148438&ie=UTF8&ll=37.0625,-95.677068&spn=91.690419,149.414063&z=2&source=embed Directions to hospitals treating Patent foramen ovales]
[http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Atrial+septal+defect+%28patient+information%29&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=65.008093,112.148438&ie=UTF8&ll=37.0625,-95.677068&spn=91.690419,149.414063&z=2&source=embed Directions to hospitals treating Patent foramen ovales]
==Prevention==
There is no known way to prevent the defect, but some of the [[complication]]s can be prevented with early detection.


==What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?==
==What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?==
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==Possible complications==
==Possible complications==
Unless there are other associated defects, there are usually no complications associated with a patent foramen ovale. There have been some studies suggesting that older patients with patent foramen ovale have a higher rate of a certain type of [[stroke]] (called paradoxical thromboembolic stroke). The reason for this is that older people frequently develop [[blood clot]]s in the veins in their legs. These clots can sometimes travel from their original site to the right side of their [[heart]]. If a patent foramen ovale is present, the clot can then pass from the right side to the left side and may travel to the [[brain]] and become lodged there, preventing [[blood flow]] to that part of the brain (stroke). Some patients may take medication to prevent blood clots.


Unless there are other associated defects, there are usually no complications associated with a PFO. There have been some studies suggesting that older patients with PFOs have a higher rate of a certain type of stroke (called paradoxical thromboembolic stroke). The reason for this is that older people frequently develop blood clots in the veins in their legs. These clots can sometimes travel from their original site to the right side of their heart. If a PFO is present, the clot can then pass from the right side to the left side and may travel to the brain and become lodged there, preventing blood flow to that part of the brain (stroke). Some patients may take medication to prevent blood clots.
==Prevention==
There is no known way to prevent the defect, but some of the complications can be prevented with early detection.
==Sources==
==Sources==
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001113.htm
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001113.htm

Latest revision as of 15:28, 26 February 2020

Patent foramen ovale

Overview

What are the symptoms?

What are the causes?

Who is at highest risk?

When to seek urgent medical care?

Diagnosis

Treatment options

Where to find medical care for Patent foramen ovale?

What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?

Possible complications

Prevention

Patent foramen ovale On the Web

Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov

Images

US National Guidelines Clearinghouse

NICE Guidance

FDA on Patent foramen ovale

CDC on Patent foramen ovale

Patent foramen ovale in the news

Blogs on Patent foramen ovale

Directions to Hospitals Treating Patent foramen ovale

Risk calculators and risk factors for Patent foramen ovale

For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click here

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editors-In-Chief: Priyamvada Singh, M.B.B.S. [2], Ifeoma Odukwe, M.D. [3], Kristin Feeney, B.S. [4]

Overview

While a baby grows in the womb, there is a normal opening between the left and right atria (upper chambers) of the heart. If this opening fails to close naturally soon after the baby is born, the hole is called patent foramen ovale (PFO). {{#ev:youtube|qkh-7UbJ0GM}}

What are the symptoms of Patent foramen ovale?

Infants with a patent foramen ovale and no other heart defects usually do not have symptoms.

What causes Patent foramen ovale?

While a fetus grows in the uterus, its lungs are not functional. The foramen ovale allows blood to bypass the lungs so it does not cause issues in the fetus. The opening is supposed to close soon after birth, but sometimes it does not. In about 1 out of 4 people, the opening never closes. If it does not, it is called a patent foramen ovale (PFO). The cause of a patent foramen ovale is unknown.

Who is at highest risk?

There are no known risk factors.

Diagnosis

An echocardiogram can be done to diagnose patent foramen ovale. If the patent foramen ovale is not easily seen, a cardiologist can perform a "bubble test." Saline solution (salt water) is injected into the body as the cardiologist watches the heart on an ultrasound (echocardiogram) monitor. If a patent foramen exists, tiny air bubbles will be seen moving from the right to left side of the heart.

When to seek urgent medical care?

Mostly patent foramen ovale stays asymptomatic. In case of development of weakness of any part of body (stroke), seek urgent care.

Treatment options

This condition is not treated unless other heart abnormalities exist or if you had a stroke caused by a blood clot to the brain. Treatment usually requires cardiac cathertization by a specifically trained cardiologist to permanently seal the PFO.

{{#ev:youtube|7lhHVf2R5PQ}}

Where to find medical care for an Patent foramen ovale?

Directions to hospitals treating Patent foramen ovales

Prevention

There is no known way to prevent the defect, but some of the complications can be prevented with early detection.

What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?

The infant will have normal health in the absence of other heart defects.

Possible complications

Unless there are other associated defects, there are usually no complications associated with a patent foramen ovale. There have been some studies suggesting that older patients with patent foramen ovale have a higher rate of a certain type of stroke (called paradoxical thromboembolic stroke). The reason for this is that older people frequently develop blood clots in the veins in their legs. These clots can sometimes travel from their original site to the right side of their heart. If a patent foramen ovale is present, the clot can then pass from the right side to the left side and may travel to the brain and become lodged there, preventing blood flow to that part of the brain (stroke). Some patients may take medication to prevent blood clots.

Sources

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001113.htm Template:WH Template:WS