PFO

Posted by kkoenig6 @kkoenig6, Aug 11 12:01pm

Hello, I had an incidental finding of a large or what they call a “substantial” PFO, but they are not recommending baby aspirin, blood thinner, or closure and won’t even see me for a consult or to discuss this since I don’t meet criteria for closure. I’m really struggling with this as it puts you as risk for stroke and I have two little kids at home who need their mom. I feel like a ticking time bomb and just want it closed. Any advice or anyone else in the same boat?

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gloaming | @gloaming | Aug 11 1:06pm

I can't help you with personal experience or with knowledge, sorry, but perhaps sites like this one will help to orient you, maybe even to allay some of your fears:
https://myheart.net/articles/patent-foramen-ovale-pfo/

kkoenig6 | @kkoenig6 | Aug 11 2:03pm

In reply to @gloaming "I can't help you with personal experience or with knowledge, sorry, but perhaps sites like this..." + (show)

Thanks for sharing this. Unfortunately the article is from 2015, and he commented in 2019 the information and recommendations have changed and he needed to update the article but never did so I’m afraid it’s not accurate 🙁

gloaming | @gloaming | Aug 11 3:47pm

In reply to @kkoenig6 "Thanks for sharing this. Unfortunately the article is from 2015, and he commented in 2019 the..." + (show)

My bad. I did a quick search and found something that seemed to fit, but obviously didn't read it comprehensively. Good for you for catching the datedness.
In an effort to extract myself from the doghouse, perhaps this is better:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40291846/
This one deals specifically with the risk of stroke:
https://www.oaepublish.com/articles/and.2024.41
Please accept my apologies...I'm sorry for the duff link above.

kkoenig6 | @kkoenig6 | Aug 11 4:27pm

In reply to @gloaming "My bad. I did a quick search and found something that seemed to fit, but obviously..." + (show)

Thanks, seems like all the articles are also supporting the fact that you wait until you would have a stroke before closing, but that is just so unnerving. I have been in a downward spiral of worry since December 26 about this.

dalebout123 | @dalebout123 | Aug 14 8:51am

I had mine closed. Several years ago, I went to a neurologists to get a brain MRI that showed I had a higher than normal amount of TSI (mini strokes). That justified the closure. I am now 81

kkoenig6 | @kkoenig6 | Aug 14 9:38am

In reply to @dalebout123 "I had mine closed. Several years ago, I went to a neurologists to get a brain..." + (show)

What a wonderful life you have had! I can only hope to live as long as you! I had a brain MRI and it was completely normal so unfortunately for me they still will not close! Prayers for many more years of health for you!

crazykbl | @crazykbl | Aug 16 7:54pm

How big is your PFL? They said if it’s small they don’t even bother closing it if it’s large, they will close it. Are you having problems like shortness of breath? Do you have blood clots that shoot across? Did you get an echo and get a shot? do you have a shunt showing that it goes across your heart you might need to get a second opinion or go to another Cardiologist best of luck I had the PFO and one Cardiologist where I live said it was just a small as my pinky and then I went to another Cardiologist that looked at it. A wood inside would’ve right Heart cat and they found out it was big as a half a dollar and they close it turned out to be ASD but a PFO closure and they close and turned out to be as big as a half a dollar and I was shining left to right Hopefully you’re not shining left to right

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