pfo closure

Hi, Yes I had one in Feb 2012 approx 6 weeks after my Stroke

Hi, I had my stroke April 2009 and I had my pfo closure in November 2009. All good no problems no regrets. I had a great Doc in Melbourne and just have a check once a year as I have a faulty valve also. It has given me peace of mind.

Cheers Di

Hi Meg,

Whilst this seems yet another hurdle to get over after surviving a stroke, from my point of view it will give you more peace of mind.  When I was told I had a large PFO, which had never been picked up before and I have had numerous stress test, cardiac test all for my job, nothing was ever picked up nor did it present a problem before, now this was a worry.

I have the greatest cardiologist, he based my PFO closure on my life style, personality, fitness requirements and state of mind.  When I was told my stroke was most probably from my PFO, I couldn't wait to get it closed.   It worried me to no ends thinking that another clot could pass at anytime and that could create a worse outcome.   Have faith in your cardiologist, go in with a positive mind set, talk to the nurses and most of all don't worry.  They have done it hundreds of times with outstanding success.    It is better to have it closed than leave it open, even though they say they can give medication to help reduce the risk.  

Admittedly, I was over the top worried until I was released from hospital, some 30 hours after admittance, it was the greatest feeling ever, I had a massive bruise from my ribs through to my knee, but it went over the next few weeks.  My post op check up reveal the PFO was still leaking slightly, which is normal and usually closes over the next 12 months.  I get my final findings on July 4th 2016,  I expect it to be totally closed. 

Good luck with your decision, but place great faith in the Dr's.

Cheers

Dave 

PFOs are actually quite common, they think approx 1 in 4 people have one. If you have one large enough that the doctor is recommending to close it then it's probably worth doing.  While it's usually harmless it does allow some blood to enter the arteries without being filtered and reoxygenated  by the lungs.  Closing a PFO is the minor end of heart surgery and can do wonders for your energy levels  not to mention reducing your risk of stroke.

Hi Meg, I had a stroke in May 2015 and a PFO closure in December 2015 after two more suspected TIA's. I had a large PFO. It definitely took a lot of stress away knowing I was much less likely to have another stroke, but now I suffer heart burn nearly all day, every day which I have never had before. I had severe chest pain for about 2 months afterwards and felt like my chest was on fire. I also had a large hematoma following the surgery. On the plus side, I no longer have migraines. I suggest that you get tested for a nickel allergy before having it done (if you plan to). My cardiologist thinks I am allergic to the nickel in the amplatzer which would be causing the heart burn and chest pain. He told me "you're probably allergic to it, but it's in there now and I'm not going to take it out". No answer as to how to help except take heart burn tablets, which make me nauseous or if it will ease up over time.

Thanks to everyone who gave me pfo advice. I have tested positive to nickel and the doctors disagree with what I should do next. There is another device called the gore septal occluder which has less nickel than the more commonly used amplatzer. Has anyone had this device? Has anyone had a pfo closure with a known nickel allergy? Thanks for any advice!

Can someone explain what is a PFO, please?

I'm not sure what I have, it was explained to me that when I was in the womb and I was born, where my umbilical cord was attached to my heart, (I think) never closed up and that I have had it ever since I was born. The Dr said it wasn't very big and that the neurologist may or may not close it up. Is this a PFO?

I have just had a heart monitor for 3 days over the weekend, so probably in about 6 weeks, I will go back to my Neurologist to see what the result is from that, to exclude I guess.