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Posted

My mom had a very minor stroke maybe a few months ago and after testing they found that she had a PFO in her heart. She is scheduled to have a PFO closure but is nervous about it and maybe second-guessing the ordeal. 

From what I can gather it seems like a pretty straightforward procedure and I have encouraged her to go ahead and get it taken care of. 

I was wondering if any MDs here had any thoughts or could maybe help me assauge a bit of the trepidation she's feeling? She is 54 and a little overweight - not in great shape - but doesn't have any major medical history or physical ailments. 

Thanks 

Posted
1 hour ago, ztejas said:

My mom had a very minor stroke maybe a few months ago and after testing they found that she had a PFO in her heart. She is scheduled to have a PFO closure but is nervous about it and maybe second-guessing the ordeal. 

From what I can gather it seems like a pretty straightforward procedure and I have encouraged her to go ahead and get it taken care of. 

I was wondering if any MDs here had any thoughts or could maybe help me assauge a bit of the trepidation she's feeling? She is 54 and a little overweight - not in great shape - but doesn't have any major medical history or physical ailments. 

Thanks 

PM @Fat Bastard if he does not see this thread.   Cardiologist in Houston.

Posted

PFO closure is indicated in patients who have cryptogenic stroke with no other, more commonly identifiable etiology, such as atrial fibrillation, carotid artery stenosis, etc. 

 

For patients younger than 65 who have had a 30 day event monitor to rule out atrial fibrillation and a carotid ultrasound to rule out carotid artery stenosis, we perform a transesophageal echo (TEE) to assess the morphology of the PFO (she’s probably already had a transthoracic echo (TTE) with bubbles to prove she has a PFO. 
 

if she’s deemed a good candidate, we perform the closure. It takes 30 minutes, is extremely low risk, and she goes home the same day. If the cardiologist is doing it without ICE (intracardiac echo), they’re a hack. 
 

There are 2 commonly available devices used, one from Abbott, the other from Gore. Both good with similar results and ease of implantation. 
 

Good luck!

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