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==Patent Foramen Ovale== | ==Patent Foramen Ovale== | ||
* A patent '''foramen ovale''' (PAY-tent for-amen oh-VALL-ee) ('''PFO''') is a small channel between the left and right atrium. It | * A patent '''foramen ovale''' (PAY-tent for-amen oh-VALL-ee) ('''PFO''') is a small channel between the left and right atrium. It can allow shunting of blood from right to left atrium (in case of rise of pressure in right atrium). | ||
* Despite the communication between the two atrium, it is not considered an atrial septal defect as the septal tissue is not missing. | |||
* The patent foramen ovale is completely covered but not completely sealed. Due to this, it is also sometimes called as a '''probe patent'''(PFO)(as the foramen can be opened with reversal of shunt). | |||
* Clinically it is linked to [[decompression sickness]], [[paradoxical embolism]] and [[migraine]]. In addition, there is some data to suggest that PFOs may be involved in the pathogenesis of some migraine headaches. Several clinical trials are currently underway to investigate the role of PFO in these clinical situations. There is a debate within the neurology and cardiology communities about the role of a PFO in cryptogenic (i.e. of unknown cause) neurologic events, e.g. strokes and transient ischemia attacks (TIAs) without any other potential cause. On echocardiography, there may not be any shunting of blood noted except when the patient coughs. | * Clinically it is linked to [[decompression sickness]], [[paradoxical embolism]] and [[migraine]]. In addition, there is some data to suggest that PFOs may be involved in the pathogenesis of some migraine headaches. Several clinical trials are currently underway to investigate the role of PFO in these clinical situations. There is a debate within the neurology and cardiology communities about the role of a PFO in cryptogenic (i.e. of unknown cause) neurologic events, e.g. strokes and transient ischemia attacks (TIAs) without any other potential cause. On echocardiography, there may not be any shunting of blood noted except when the patient coughs. | ||
* Approximately 1 in every three normal adult hearts have a patent foramen ovale. | * Approximately 1 in every three normal adult hearts have a patent foramen ovale. | ||
* Elevation of pressure in the pulmonary circulatory system (ie: [[pulmonary hypertension]] due to various causes, or transiently during a [[cough]]) can cause the foramen ovale to remain open. | * Elevation of pressure in the pulmonary circulatory system (ie: [[pulmonary hypertension]] due to various causes, or transiently during a [[cough]]) can cause the foramen ovale to remain open. | ||
* A patent foramen ovale has been found to occur with increased incidences in families. | * A patent foramen ovale has been found to occur with increased incidences in families. | ||
Revision as of 21:31, 19 August 2011
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Atrial Septal Defect Microchapters | |
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Treatment | |
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Surgery | |
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Case Studies | |
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Patent foramen ovale On the Web | |
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American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Patent foramen ovale | |
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editors-In-Chief: Priyamvada Singh, M.B.B.S. [[2]]; Cafer Zorkun, M.D., Ph.D. [3]; Assistant Editor-In-Chief: Kristin Feeney, B.S. [[4]]
Overview
During fetal development, the septal wall may fail to fuse causing an atrial septal defect to arise. A patent foramen ovale atrial septal defect is one such type of malformation arising from the irregular development of the foramen ovale.
Patent Foramen Ovale
- A patent foramen ovale (PAY-tent for-amen oh-VALL-ee) (PFO) is a small channel between the left and right atrium. It can allow shunting of blood from right to left atrium (in case of rise of pressure in right atrium).
- Despite the communication between the two atrium, it is not considered an atrial septal defect as the septal tissue is not missing.
- The patent foramen ovale is completely covered but not completely sealed. Due to this, it is also sometimes called as a probe patent(PFO)(as the foramen can be opened with reversal of shunt).
- Clinically it is linked to decompression sickness, paradoxical embolism and migraine. In addition, there is some data to suggest that PFOs may be involved in the pathogenesis of some migraine headaches. Several clinical trials are currently underway to investigate the role of PFO in these clinical situations. There is a debate within the neurology and cardiology communities about the role of a PFO in cryptogenic (i.e. of unknown cause) neurologic events, e.g. strokes and transient ischemia attacks (TIAs) without any other potential cause. On echocardiography, there may not be any shunting of blood noted except when the patient coughs.
- Approximately 1 in every three normal adult hearts have a patent foramen ovale.
- Elevation of pressure in the pulmonary circulatory system (ie: pulmonary hypertension due to various causes, or transiently during a cough) can cause the foramen ovale to remain open.
- A patent foramen ovale has been found to occur with increased incidences in families.