Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO) Closure
Minimally invasive PFO closure to reduce stroke risk — catheter-based device implantation to seal a hole in the heart.
What is It?
A Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO) is a small opening between the two upper chambers of the heart (the atria) that is present in all babies before birth and usually closes naturally in infancy. In approximately one in four people, this opening remains partially open into adulthood.
PFO Closure is a minimally invasive, catheter-based procedure used to seal this opening with a small, specially designed device placed inside the heart. The aim is to prevent abnormal blood flow between the heart chambers and reduce the risk of serious complications, including stroke.
At One Heart Centre, our interventional cardiologists have expert training in performing PFO closure using the latest device technology, ensuring a safe, effective and personalised approach for every patient.
Why is It Performed?
At One Heart Centre, our cardiologists may recommend PFO Closure to:
- Reduce the risk of recurrent cryptogenic (unexplained) stroke
- Treat certain cases of migraine associated with PFO
- Manage conditions caused by abnormal blood flow or clot passage across the PFO
- Prevent oxygen-poor blood from bypassing the lungs in rare circumstances
Your cardiologist at One Heart Centre will carefully assess whether PFO closure is appropriate for you based on your medical history, imaging results and overall risk profile.
What Does the Test Involve?
The procedure is performed in a specialised hospital catheterisation laboratory. You will be given medication to keep you comfortable and relaxed, and in many cases light general anaesthesia is used.
A thin catheter is inserted through a vein in the groin and gently guided to the heart under X-ray and ultrasound guidance. Through this catheter, a small closure device is carefully positioned across the PFO. Once correctly placed, the device expands to seal the opening. Over time, the body’s natural tissue grows over the device, permanently closing the defect.
The procedure usually takes 60–90 minutes. Most patients stay in hospital overnight for observation and return home the following day.
What are the Benefits?
- Significantly reduces the risk of recurrent stroke in selected patients
- Minimally invasive with no open-heart surgery required
- Short hospital stay and rapid recovery
- No chest incision or visible scarring
- Long-term, permanent closure of the heart defect