Patent foramen ovale pathophysiology

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

Overview

A patent foramen ovale is a flap-like structure in inter-atrial septum that is formed by failure of postnatal fusion of septum primum and septum secundum. It periodically opens and allows blood to shunt between the two atria. Thus, it is also sometimes called as a probe patent (PFO). This flap-like structure functions like a one-way valve mechanism that only opens to allow blood to flow from the right atrium to the left atrium during times where there is an increase flow or pressure in the right atrium. Elevation of pressure in the pulmonary circulatory system (i.e. pulmonary hypertension, cough or valsalva maneuver) can cause the foramen ovale to open.

Pathophysiology

Embryology

Atrial septation begins at about the 4th week of gestation. A crescent-shaped septum primum grows from the primordial atrial roof towards the endocardial cushion and partially divides the common atrium into right and left halves. Formation of the endocardial cushions occurs on the ventral and dorsal walls of the atrioventricular canal. Before the septum pimum reaches the endocardial cushion, programmed cell death occurs in the more cranial part giving rise to perforations that become a large window called the ostium secundum/foramen secundum. Around day 33, a crescent-shaped septum secundum forms on the right side of the septum primum. It grows gradually and overlaps part of the ostium secundum/foramen secundum forming an oval-shaped, incomplete septal partition that becomes the foramen ovale. The foramen ovale allows blood to pass from the right atrium to the left atrium. A flap-like valve is formed by the remaining septum primum over the foramen ovale. Fusion of both septa's occur after birth.[1][2]

Physiology

  • In fetal circulation, oxygenated blood from the placenta flows through the umbilical vein to the inferior vena cava and makes its way into the right atrium. Due to greater right atrial pressure compared to left atrial pressure in utero, blood flows from the right atrium to the left through the foramen ovale. Blood from the left atrium flows into the left ventricle, into the aorta and to the systemic circulation. The deoxygenated blood from the systemic circulation travels back to the placenta through the umbilical arteries for oxygenation by the mother.
  • At birth, oxygen fills the alveolus resulting in a drop in right heart pressure and pulmonary vascular resistance. The amount of blood entering the left atrium from the lungs increases and may lead to increased left atrial pressure. These mechanisms cause closure of the foramen ovale. In most individuals, the foramen ovale closes by age two.[2]

Pathogenesis

  • Soon after birth, as an infant takes its first breath, the negative intrathoracic pressure closes the foramen ovale. It may remain open in a number of people due to failure of fusion of the septum primum and septum secundum making the closure incomplete. This patent foramen ovale permits interatrial flow of blood from the right atrium to the left atrium during periods when the right atrial pressure exceeds that of the left atrium. For example, coughing, sneezing or straining[3][4]
  • It is undetected in a majority of people and may be seen during cardiac investigation.[3]

Genetics

  • F2 (prothrombin) and Apolipoprotein-C3 genes may be associated with patent foramen ovale.[5]

Associated Conditions

Conditions associated with patent foramen ovale include:[6][7][8]

  • Cryptogenic stroke
  • Migraine headache
  • Atrial septal defect
  • Chiari network
  • Obstructive sleep apnea
  • Decompression sickness

Gross Pathology

Microscopic Pathology

References

  1. Kloesel B, DiNardo JA, Body SC (2016). "Cardiac Embryology and Molecular Mechanisms of Congenital Heart Disease: A Primer for Anesthesiologists". Anesth Analg. 123 (3): 551–69. doi:10.1213/ANE.0000000000001451. PMC 4996372. PMID 27541719.
  2. 2.0 2.1 Hara, Hidehiko; Virmani, Renu; Ladich, Elena; Mackey-Bojack, Shannon; Titus, Jack; Reisman, Mark; Gray, William; Nakamura, Masato; Mooney, Michael; Poulose, Anil; Schwartz, Robert S. (2005). "Patent Foramen Ovale: Current Pathology, Pathophysiology, and Clinical Status". Journal of the American College of Cardiology. 46 (9): 1768–1776. doi:10.1016/j.jacc.2005.08.038. ISSN 0735-1097.
  3. 3.0 3.1 Giblett JP, Abdul-Samad O, Shapiro LM, Rana BS, Calvert PA (2019). "Patent Foramen Ovale Closure in 2019". Interv Cardiol. 14 (1): 34–41. doi:10.15420/icr.2018.33.2. PMC 6406129. PMID 30858890.
  4. Wahl A, Windecker S, Meier B (2001). "Patent foramen ovale: pathophysiology and therapeutic options in symptomatic patients". Minerva Cardioangiol. 49 (6): 403–11. PMID 11733736.
  5. Lantz M, Sjöstrand C, Kostulas K (2013). "Ischemic stroke and patent foramen ovale: risk factors and genetic profile". J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis. 22 (6): 841–5. doi:10.1016/j.jstrokecerebrovasdis.2012.06.002. PMID 22784820.
  6. Yakhkind, A.; Castaldo, J.; Leary, M.C. (2017). "Stroke and Migraine": 570–573. doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-803058-5.00111-9.
  7. Kerut EK, Norfleet WT, Plotnick GD, Giles TD (2001). "Patent foramen ovale: a review of associated conditions and the impact of physiological size". J Am Coll Cardiol. 38 (3): 613–23. doi:10.1016/s0735-1097(01)01427-9. PMID 11527606.
  8. Gafoor, Sameer; Sharma, Rahul; Zhang, Ming; Casterella, Peter; Atianzar, Kimberly (2017). "Update on the Management of Patent Foramen Ovale in 2017: Indication for Closure and Literature Review". US Cardiology Review. 11 (2): 75. doi:10.15420/usc.2017:18:1. ISSN 1758-3896.


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