Pfo Closure

[Bazile]

A member of the family had a PFO closure ,a few years ago . (i.e , not the open heart surgery solution )

Having read this link - is it saying that the procedure is no longer recomended / safe .

http://guidance.nice.org.uk/IPG472

// Surgical closure of a PFO is sometimes performed as an adjunct to open-heart surgery, but is rarely done on its own because of associated morbidity.//

[bednobs]

i think it's saying it's not recommended as the first line treatment for those people who have the condition AND have had a clot (thombolytic event)

[Sqad]

Bazile........I agree with bednobs.

In a nutshell:

Should a PFA be treated at all? It is no big deal in the majority of cases, but "hole in the heart" is very emotive and a good subject for a TV drama.

If for any reason, the defect does need treatment then there are a few options as described.

Usually in the field of medicine, if there are multiple options based on differing expert opinions, the bottom line usually is........it doesn't matter a damn.