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Closure of a Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO): An Intervention Sequence
Published on: December 23, 2022
Inflammatory pseudothrombus on a patent foramen ovale occluder device
Stephen MacKerrow1, Andrew Farb, Roberta Sullivan
1Pueblo Cardiology Associates, Pueblo, Colorado 81004, USA.
Texas Heart Institute Journal
|December 27, 2011
Summary
Transcatheter closure of patent foramen ovale for migraines led to late complications, including neurologic events and atrial fibrillation. Careful risk-benefit assessment is crucial due to potential severe outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Neurology
Background:
- Patent foramen ovale (PFO) closure is sometimes considered for migraine treatment.
- Transcatheter device closure is a common PFO closure method.
Observation:
- A patient undergoing PFO closure for migraines developed late complications.
- These included acute neurologic symptoms and new-onset atrial fibrillation.
- A surgically removed mass revealed an inflammatory lesion.
Findings:
- Histology showed an inflammatory lesion with lymphocytes, plasma cells, and macrophages.
- Neurologic events persisted despite successful PFO closure and atrial fibrillation termination.
Implications:
- Transcatheter PFO closure, while generally safe, carries risks of severe late complications.
- Further research is needed to establish the efficacy and safety of PFO closure for migraines.
Keywords:
Cardiac surgical procedures/instrumentationcerebrovascular disorders/etiologyforamen ovale, patent/complications/therapyheart septal defects, atrial/complications/diagnosis/pathology/ultrasonographymigraine disorders/prevention & controlpostoperative complicationsprostheses and implants/adverse effects/instrumentation/utilizationrisk factorsthrombosis/etiologytreatment outcome
