Looking for Stroke Patients over 70 who had a PFO Closure.

Posted by waynen @waynen, Nov 7, 2023

This past April I had a blood clot in my left posterior lobe resulting in a stroke. I'm 78 but with no obvious condition for generating the clot. My cardiologist conducted a transesophageal echocardiogram and found a PFO or hole between my upper chambers of my heart. He referred me to a specialized at the cardiology department for the Oregon Health Science University specialist and a neurologist to determine if the hole should be closed. The information that I've read about PFO Closures indicate it will reduce the chance of a 2nd stroke, but patients over 60 have a chance of getting Afib.
My neurologist and cardiologist specialist are waffling about whether it should be done. The cardiologist wanted the neurologist to make the decision. The neurologist initially decided we should proceed and we sent December 13 for the procedure. She is now not sure if we should do it and treat it with medication. She hasn't been able to discuss it with the cardiologist.
In the meantime, I'm trying to gather additional information regarding how well the procedure has worked with people closer to my age. I've been part of another forum on prostrate cancer and have learned a lot from other people going through the same condition that I had. I thought this forum might have others who also are going through my same experience and can share their experiences and advise.
I look forward to hearing from others and hope they are having successful recoveries.
Wayne

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Stroke & Cerebrovascular Diseases Support Group.

dhutch | @dhutch | Nov 8, 2023

Wayne. My husband is 70 and had a PFO closure in September, he had 2 strokes before this and has done well so far with the closure. He takes a beta blocker for afib and takes meds to keep his BP in normal range. He also has Factor V Liden ( blood disease) that makes his blood easier to clot.
We are pleased that we did the closure, otherwise at risk of more clots and stroke. He is also on Eliquis twice a day. Hope this helps you decide

waynen | @waynen | Nov 8, 2023

Thank you for your comments and hope your husband is doing well. Did your husband get Afib after the PFO Closure?
Thanks

dhutch | @dhutch | Nov 9, 2023

In reply to @waynen "Thank you for your comments and hope your husband is doing well. Did your husband get..." + (show)

Not so far

waynen | @waynen | Nov 10, 2023

Sorry to bother you, but did he consult with a Neurologist and/or a cardiologist? Did they talk to you about the risk to do this at his age? How experienced was the doctor who did the procedure and how often with older patients?

Thank you for anything you can give me?

pks3carlson | @pks3carlson | Nov 10, 2023

I am 77 and have had 2 previous minor strokes and 2 TIAs. They discovered the open PFO 2 years ago. My cardiologist recommended that I not get the PFO closure. I do not have Afib. I am currently taking Plavix and BP medicine.

waynen | @waynen | Nov 11, 2023

In reply to @pks3carlson "I am 77 and have had 2 previous minor strokes and 2 TIAs. They discovered the..." + (show)

Thanks, did your cardiologist say why you shouldn't get the closure? Also, did the 2 minor strokes cause you any cognitive problems? I've had one stroke and it gave me some problems remembering words and having difficulty getting the right words out when talking. My stroke was in the language area of my left posterior lobe. I'm also on Plavix and baby aspirin. My neurologist says I have a 20% chance of my next stroke.
Best to you.

dhutch | @dhutch | Nov 11, 2023

In reply to @waynen "Sorry to bother you, but did he consult with a Neurologist and/or a cardiologist? Did they..." + (show)

Not a bother. He was seen at the heart brain clinic at Mayo (monthly event) by a neurologist and interventional cardiologist ( Dr El Sabbagh). They decided that even with daily Eliquis he still had a high risk of another stroke with the open PFO and his Factor V liden. Procedure was done in late September of this year and no issues so far.

dhutch | @dhutch | Nov 11, 2023

In reply to @waynen "Sorry to bother you, but did he consult with a Neurologist and/or a cardiologist? Did they..." + (show)

Also Dr El Sabbagh is very experienced and does this procedure regularly

waynen | @waynen | Nov 11, 2023

In reply to @dhutch "Also Dr El Sabbagh is very experienced and does this procedure regularly" + (show)

Thank you very helpful.

barrybailey | @barrybailey | Nov 12, 2023

This is an interesting discussion.
I had 3 TIAs in 2017. I have no condition that is known to cause blood clots - no high blood pressure, no high cholesterol, no heart disease, no plaque in my arteries, I am not diabetic, I don't have afib and I am not overweight. I exercise regularly and eat an excellent diet. My doctors had no explanation for why I would have developed blood clots. In doing the many tests a PFO was discovered and the procedure to close it was immediately recommended. There was no concern regarding my age [I was 74 six years ago] at that time.
I questioned the safety of doing the PFO procedure after asking what the device was made of. When I was told it is made of metal, and I informed my doctor that I am highly allergic to metal, and tests were done. Of the four metals tested on me, three are in the device used to close a PFO. When I asked what would happen if my body reacted to the metal and it had to be removed, how might that be done? When told it would require open heart surgery I immediately refused the procedure.
I now live knowing if I develop blood clots again [a common symptom of COVID-19] I could have another stroke. I am fully vaccinated with all available boosters which protects me from COVID, but that is not a 100% protection. I have no protection from blot clots, should they develop again.
My personal possible belief for my formation of blood clots is that I know I was dehydrated the day before my TIAs happened. I now take extra care to stay hydrated and remain in isolation to prevent a possible COVID infection.
Best of luck to you, Wayne. I hope my story is helpful in your decision making.
PS My doctors are from the Boston area of Massachusetts.
I still teach my stretching classes [safely] via ZOOM and I have returned recently to my massage practice seeing a very limited number of clients using extreme safety precautions.