PFO (patent foramen ovale)

[EastKent]

Hello -- has anyone on here had this procedure? I'd be interested in hearing from anyone who has (looking for advice). Thanks

[10gingercats]

Yes. I had this procedure done whenI was about 70-72.It went well and it was an almost immediate recoverl.I had the catheter procedure through my rightgroin.I was given morphine and a sedative so no anaethetics.

[EastKent in reply to 10gingercats]

Hello; that's good to know. I was told it was through the groin (and not open heart surgery!) and I wasn't overly worried; but now I'm being told that I'll have a general anaesthetic because they'll put a camera down my throat -- I'm not keen on any of that

[10gingercats in reply to EastKent]

I also had a camera down my throat but it was done in advance of the surgery......maybe a couple of weeks before.... and to check if all was well behind my heart.I only had sedation for that but it was so quick i hardly knew it had been done.

[Silvertail]

I have a PFO but my cardiologist said he wouldn't repair it unless I wanted to scuba dive. He said he wouldn't put metal in his heart and he wasn't going to put it in mine. That said, I guess it depends on the size of it and if you have any symptoms. Apparently, there is a connection with cryptogenic stroke and a PFO. Some information here.

nyp.org/heart/congenital-he...

It's from a medical site - New York Presbyterian, so I believe it should be accurate.

[EastKent in reply to Silvertail]

Hi -- thanks for the link.

[10gingercats in reply to Silvertail]

Mine wasn't very big but I had had an enbolism and possibly a TIAThankfully it didn't lodge anywhere and quietly disipated.No metal in my gadget in my heart and than was 10 yearsago so I am at bit mystified by your surgeons comment. re. metal.When i was shown the device it was like a

little plastic(?) unbrella.They push it through the hole and open it on the other side...all very neat and tidy.

[Silvertail in reply to 10gingercats]

Nitinol wire is used in most devices.

This is one of the many articles available from reputable Medical sources.

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl....

"Most of the PFO occluder devices are composed of metal (usually Nitinol) and polyester mesh, including the Amplatzer device. Coagulation within the wire mesh leads to and promotes endothelialization and complete closure of the defect."

Unfortunately the TGA in Australia has not approved the Noble Stitch method which I think would be the best.

[fishonabike]

i know two people who had this procedure very sucessfully after discovering that they had PFOs in their 60's while scuba diving - in the end the decision has to be yours, but i would try to base that on how much the PFO currently affects my life and could affect me in future

you won't be aware of anything that is done to you under general anaesthetic and it would not be suggested or offered if it wasn't necessary