PFO Closure Procedure - Scott Lim, MD

Scott Lim, MD is a cardiologist at UVA Health System. Dr. Lim discusses Patent Foramen Ovale, or PFO, a hole in the heart that is a common cause for stroke. PFO Closure provides a minimally invasive treatment option for patients.

[@venuslara7571]

This is a great link to send my family instead of repeating myself over and over and worrying them when I say “I have a hole in my heart that needs to be closed”.

[@seasesh4073]

You're one step ahead of me, I barely told anyone lol

[@perception913]

I had my first stroke at 45 years old and on Friday Oct 13th (of all days) but have had bad migraines and even seizures. I'm having this procedure next week... I'll let everyone know how it goes.

[@jabroski69]

I have a patent foramen ovale (PFO) hole in heart) I also have svt (supraventricular tachycardia) having ablation surgery at the end of the month to rectify the rapid heartbeat and abnormal heart rhythm. The patent foramen ovale is a benign issue that apparently a quarter of the population has but it causes an increase risk of stroke and cryptogenic stroke due to blood able to pass from right to left ventricle bypassing the lungs which apparently filter small clots from the blood supply which is a little worrisome but ok. The issue I have is that I have an uncle that has the same issue (patent foramen ovale) and is currently recovering from his 3rd (cryogenic) stroke and he is only 55 (I'm 33) and has lost complete function of the left side of his face. I messaged my cardiologist explaining this and the fact that pretty much every aliment the man has, I have had example we are the only ones in our family to have testicular torsion (very rare condition), SVT and also the only ones in the entire family to have kidneys stones and glaucoma and bad eye sight, so I'm worried to say the least... The issue I have is that the surgery to fix the svt and the surgery to "patch" the PFO are identical so in my mind it makes since that while I'm young I get the procedure done to resolve both issues being they are gonna be in there already instead of waiting to see if anything happens bc it is a "defect" and has an increased risk of stroke associated with it. Well my cardiologist states the likely hood of me having those issues is very low so he will absolutely not patch the hole?? With my family history it looks like he would be willing to fix both issues now instead of risking doing it after I have a stroke. My question is for cardiologist or doctors what should my next move be I want to get the surgery as quickly as possible to resolve the svt but I feel like I need to cancel the surgery and look for a cardiologist that is willing to fix both issues. What is the likelihood of finding a cardiologist to do that? Or should I just roll with the plan at hand?

[@uvahealth]

Dr. Lim responds: "Given that some times the SVT is due to a left sided accessory pathway, and may require more than one attempt to address it, it would make sense to not have the PFO closed prior to knowing that the ablation of the SVT was successful and a repeat ablation would not be needed.
Independent of that, there remains the question of whether PFO closure in an asymptomatic patient is indicated. To answer that question, I would defer to a neurologist to weigh in." If you'd like to set up an appointment with UVA, please call 434.924.3627, or schedule online at forms.uvahealth.com/appointment/. To read more about PFO's, visit uvahealth.com/services/heart-valve-disease/patent-foramen-ovale

[@marieschaller4560]

What if the device needs to be removed, due to allergic response?

[@cheeverdog]

I too have PFO. I had a stroke in 2015 at 47. Left me with hemionopia. Im getting this done ASAP

[@nigelgriffin3035]

Did you get it done

[@cheeverdog]

@@nigelgriffin3035 not yet. I have a consultation on May 5th.

[@yohannalluri5893]

Iam pfo patent age47 basttret