Repairing a PFO (Patent Foramen Ovale)
Repairing a PFO once required open heart surgery, but via new devices and techniques a corrective procedure can be performed in the cardiac catheterization lab to seal the hole without surgery. A closure device is advanced through the catheter via femoral vein and inserted into the gap between the two heart chambers. Once in position, the ends of the device are opened toward each other, sealing the hole from either side.
Closing the PFO facilitates the heart lining to grow over it and do in-growth of tissue. Clinical data show that tissue in-growth is usually complete in about six months.While open heart surgery to close a PFO is also an option but closing via catheter is easy, safe and cost-efective.
First, one half of the seal device (trade name CardioSEAL) is opened in the left atrium.
Second, the other half of the seal device is opened on the right atrial side of the heart.
