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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 and Hypoxemia.
Mohammad K Mojadidi1, Juan C Ruiz2, Jason Chertoff3
1From the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL.
Cardiology in Review
|March 24, 2018
Summary
Patent foramen ovale (PFO) can worsen hypoxemia in conditions like sleep apnea. Closing the PFO may significantly improve breathing and oxygen levels in some patients.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pulmonology
- Medical Devices
Background:
- Patent foramen ovale (PFO) is a common remnant of fetal circulation in adults.
- PFO is linked to cryptogenic stroke and migraine with aura.
- The role of PFO in hypoxemic conditions is less understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the association between PFO-mediated shunting and hypoxemic conditions.
- To explore the impact of percutaneous PFO closure on hypoxemia.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of observational studies and clinical trials.
- Discussion of PFO-mediated hypoxemia mechanisms.
- Analysis of percutaneous PFO closure outcomes.
Main Results:
- PFO can cause right-to-left shunting, mixing deoxygenated blood with oxygenated blood.
- This shunting can lead to disproportionate hypoxemia in patients with lung disease.
- Percutaneous PFO closure may improve dyspnea and hypoxemia in a subset of patients.
Conclusions:
- PFO plays a role in exacerbating hypoxemia in various medical conditions.
- Percutaneous PFO closure is a potential therapeutic option for select patients.
- Further research is needed to fully elucidate the PFO-hypoxemia relationship.
