What are the indications for PFO closure in 2023? - EuroPCR 2023

David Hildick-Smith and Jens Erik Nielsen-Kudsk take a joint look at the issues related to PFO closure and its indications.
In particular, they discuss whether PFO closure should be restricted to patients under the age of 60, whether to limit the procedure to PFOs that are considered to be high-risk, or whether monitoring should be systematic for all patients, among others.
Follow this highly instructive exchange to learn more!
The content of this video was filmed at #EuroPCR 2023.
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#PFOclosure
#stroke

[@flua1508]

Thank you so so much for answering many questions that were in my head!! I have my surgery in about a week and feel better after listening to you!

[@pennyplyman5022]

I am a 64 year old female with a Large PFO. It has caused me to have low blood oxygen, and I have not been able to work for the last two years. I am a foaling attendant in Kentucky to Thoroughbred Race Horses, my job is a 12 hour night shift walking throughout the night, picking stalls, watering horses, delivering 100+ pound horse babies. I need the my PFO closed to gain quality of life and to get back to work. It isn’t right to deny such a relatively simple procedure to those of us needing it. Please keep pursuing this for the greater good of all humans. Thank you for this video!

[@fliphustling]

Do you live in the USA?

[@josephpuchel6497]

My cardiologist sent me to a heart specialist 10 years after my stroke in 2009. He said he wouldn’t do closure because my protein C was slightly lower than normal and still need to be on blood thinner. Protein c has something to do with clotting factor.

[@shkach]

I am a 56 yo female experiencing low oxygen saturation. Was diagnosed with a myopathy that runs in my family (Spereoid Body Myopathy) 10 years ago and have been attributing my weakness and exhaustion to that. It may have been a PFO all along. Trying to get scheduled for an ECHO bubble test to confirm. Please push for this closure procedure for ALL who could benefit from it.

[@WayneLeng]

I'm a 74 year old and 6 months ago I had two strokes along with a pulmonary embolism and many tiny blood clots. Also had a cardiac arrest while I was in the hospital. There is evidence of older strokes from about 40 years ago. I also have a PFO which was discovered about 40-45 years ago and was told nothing had to be done. I also have migraines with aura. I am currently on Apixaban, a blood thinner.

[@glam_goth6662]

Im 55 female, and had stroke 2 weeks ago and they found a PFO.

[@shkach]

So scary! Prayers you have a full recovery!
I think they should begin testing babies and closing them then, not waiting for them to become an issue.

[@jeremym1706]

Had the same! Found a 10mm hole (asd) had 2 strokes in 6 months. Luckily id say im all there