Patent foramen ovale

Background

Patent foramen ovale (PFO) is a flap-like opening between the atrial septa primum and secundum at the location of the fossa ovalis that persists after age 1 year.

Clinical Features

• History of stroke or TIA of undefined etiology
• Migraine or migraine-like symptoms
• Neurologic decompression sickness (seen in scuba divers)
• Acute myocardial infarction
• Systemic embolism, such as renal infarction
• Fat embolism
• Paradoxical embolism caused by right atrial tumors that increase right atrial pressure
• Left-sided valve disease in carcinoid syndrome