What is the patent foramen ovale?

Patent Foramen ovale concerns the opening in the heart that is formed during fetal development. This opening should be closed alone after birth, but may remain open in some individuals. Many adults with a foramen ovale patent have no symptoms and opening can be discovered during routine testing.

During the development of the fetus, blood from the mother circulates through the umbilical cord and into the fetus. This blood is rich in oxygen and first enters the right atrium of the fetal heart. Since the lungs of the fetus collapse, the blood does not travel into the lungs to absorb oxygen. Instead, the fetal blood bypasses the lungs and flows from the right atrium to the left atrium through a small hole called patent foramen ovale.

At the time of birth, the lungs of the fetus expand and begin to supply oxygen to the child. At this time, the pressure inside the left atrium increases. This pressure forces a tissue flap above the patent foramen ovale. Inside the arok after birth, the opening joined and became part of the wall between the left and the right atrium.

If the hole is not closed,It can escape the blood between the halls back and forth. In many patients, this leak does not cause any symptoms. However, the presence of patent foramen ovale was associated with strokes, migraines and decompression disease. Patients are often diagnosed with this condition during testing on other heart problems.

diagnosis is most often produced during the echocardiogram, which is an ultrasound of the heart. During this test, a hole in the heart and blood leak can be observed. Many patients have no symptoms and may not be necessary treatment. Patients with other cardiac conditions or who are at risk of brain may have to be closed patented foramen ovale.

Closing this hole between the atriums is most often carried out in cardiac catheterism. The catheter can be inserted into the femoral vein in the area of ​​the weakness and thread to the heart. There are small devices made of two disks held together with a small rod that can be routed throughcatheter and inserted into the hall. The device is located through the hole in the heart and open to cover the patent foramen ovale. This device remains in place and should stop any blood leak between chambers.