Treatment

Most people with a patent foramen ovale don't need treatment. If a PFO is found when an echocardiogram is done for other reasons, a procedure to close the opening usually isn't done.

However, your doctor may recommend a procedure to close the hole in your heart if you have low blood oxygen levels linked to the patent foramen ovale or if you've had an unexplained stroke.

Closure of a patent foramen ovale to prevent migraines isn't currently recommended as the first treatment. Closure of a patent foramen ovale to prevent recurrent stroke is only done after a cardiologist and neurologist have determined that closure will benefit you.

Medications

Your doctor may recommend medications to try to reduce the risk of blood clots crossing a patent foramen ovale. Blood thinners (anticoagulants) may be helpful for some people with a patent foramen ovale who've had a stroke.

Surgical or other procedures

Procedures to close a patent foramen ovale include:

• Device closure. Doctors can insert a device that plugs the patent foramen ovale during a procedure called cardiac catherization. In this procedure, the closure device is on the end of a long, flexible tube (catheter).

  The doctor inserts the device-tipped catheter into a blood vessel in the groin and guides it into place using echocardiogram images as a guide.

  Complications are uncommon with this procedure but may include a tear of the heart or blood vessels, movement of the device, or irregular heartbeats (arrhythmias).

• Surgical closure. A surgeon can close the patent foramen ovale by opening up the heart and stitching shut the flaplike opening. This heart surgery can be done using a very small incision and may be performed using robotic techniques.

  If you or your child is having surgery to correct another heart problem, your doctor may recommend that you have the patent foramen ovale corrected surgically at the same time.