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Closure of a Patent Foramen Ovale PFO: An Intervention Sequence
Published on: December 23, 2022
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Constrictive pericarditis-induced shunting through a PFO: Persistence despite pericardiectomy
Emily Schuiteman1, Thomas Verrill2, Nader Mina3
1Department of Internal Medicine, Beaumont Hospital - Royal Oak, Royal Oak, MI, 48073, USA.
Respiratory Medicine Case Reports
|June 27, 2017
Summary
Patent foramen ovale (PFO), common but often silent, can cause severe hypoxic respiratory failure when right heart pressures rise. This case highlights PFO closure as a resolution for refractory hypoxia due to constrictive pericarditis.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pulmonology
- Medical Case Studies
Background:
- Patent foramen ovale (PFO) is prevalent in 25-30% of adults, typically asymptomatic due to left-to-right shunting.
- PFOs are rarely suspected in hypoxic respiratory failure unless right heart pressures are elevated.
- Elevated right heart pressures can reverse shunt direction, causing significant right-to-left blood flow.
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