Congenital Hole in the Heart (PFO)

A persistent small flap-like opening

• -[between the right & left atria]

Normally present during fetal development

• -[blood bypasses lungs via foramen ovale]
• ---[it is already oxygenated in the fetus]

Usually it closes during birth

When it does not close it is called PFO

Interatrial septum disorder

• -[an opening between the atria]
• ---[blood flows between atria of the heart]

It is usually asymptomatic

Epidemiology

{Occurrence}

Up to 25% of the normal population has PFO)

Associations

Congenital Heart Disease

• -[Ebstein Anomaly]

Hardikar Syndrome

Complications

Acute Ischemic Stroke

Decompression Sickness

Hypoxemia

Migraine Headache

Transient Ischemic Attack