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Closure of a Patent Foramen Ovale PFO: An Intervention Sequence
Published on: December 23, 2022
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Patent Foramen Ovale Closure for Hypoxemia
Jonathan M Tobis1, Deepika Narasimha2, Islam Abudayyeh2
1Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, 10833 Le Conte Avenue, Factor Building CHS, Room B-976, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
Interventional Cardiology Clinics
|September 10, 2017
Summary
A patent foramen ovale (PFO) can cause significant hypoxemia and dyspnea. Percutaneous PFO closure often resolves these symptoms, but awareness of this link is crucial for effective treatment.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pulmonology
- Medical Devices
Background:
- A patent foramen ovale (PFO) is a common congenital heart defect, present in 20% of the general population.
- Under certain conditions, PFO can lead to abnormal right-to-left shunting of blood within the heart.
- This shunt can result in significant hypoxemia (low blood oxygen levels) and dyspnea (shortness of breath).
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the role of PFO in causing unexplained hypoxemia and dyspnea.
- To emphasize the effectiveness of percutaneous PFO closure in treating these symptoms.
- To address the lack of awareness regarding PFO as a cause of hypoxemia.
Main Methods:
- Review of clinical cases and relevant literature on PFO and hypoxemia.
- Analysis of hemodynamic and anatomic factors contributing to right-to-left shunting.
- Evaluation of treatment outcomes following percutaneous PFO closure.
Main Results:
- PFO is frequently associated with significant hypoxemia and dyspnea, often independent of lung disease.
- Percutaneous closure of PFO effectively resolves profound hypoxemia caused by interatrial shunting.
- Lack of clinical awareness of PFO's role is a barrier to timely diagnosis and treatment.
Conclusions:
- Patent foramen ovale is an under-recognized cause of significant hypoxemia and dyspnea.
- Percutaneous PFO closure is a highly effective treatment for hypoxemia secondary to right-to-left shunting.
- Increased physician awareness is essential for improving patient outcomes in PFO-related hypoxemia.
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