Patent Foramen Ovale Closure In Bronx
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If you were born with a hole in your heart that never closed, known as a patent foramen ovale (PFO), you may need a procedure to correct it. Penn Medicine cardiologists use interventional techniques to close a patent foramen ovale without opening your chest for surgery.
Treatment most often requires a procedure called cardiac catheterization, which is performed by a trained cardiologist to permanently seal the PFO.
People who do not respond to medication may need a minimally invasive, catheter-based procedure. Your interventional cardiologist closes the PFO with a small closure device. This is done in a cardiac catheterization (cath) laboratory.
A healthcare provider may recommend a PFO closure procedure if: You've had a transient ischemic attack (TIA) more than once. You've had cryptogenic (from an unknown cause) strokes more than once. You have a low level of oxygen in your blood.
If a PFO exists, a little blood can flow between the atria. A robotic-assisted patent foramen ovale repair is a type of minimally invasive surgery. Minimally invasive means that the surgery uses smaller cuts (incisions) than a traditional open heart surgery. Recovery may be easier and faster.
During the procedure, an interventional cardiologist: Makes a tiny incision in your groin and inserts a catheter into a blood vessel. Uses ultrasound imaging to get a closer view of the PFO. May guide a deflated balloon through the catheter and move it to the PFO.
You may be asleep for the procedure, or you may get a sedative to help you relax. Your doctor makes a small cut in your groin. Then the catheter, with tools inside it, is put into your blood vessel and carefully guided to your heart. Your doctor moves the tip of the catheter to place a small device inside the PFO.
