Re: Heart Murmur

Posted By CCF CARDIO MD - DLB on January 12, 1999 at 14:38:40:

In Reply to: Heart Murmur posted by EHL on January 12, 1999 at 11:56:13:






I was born with a hole in my heart that was repaired 25 yrs ago when I was 10 months old.  At a recent cardiologist appt they said that I have a PFO & a heart murmur.  This is the first cardiologist that I have seen since I was a child.  The dr said that she will want to do surgery to fix my heart because I have a ASD, possibly residual from the original surgery.  They are awaiting my records from the original surgery.  My question is:  What is a PFO?
Your response is appreciated.
Dear EHL
A PFO is a patent foramen ovale. About a quarter of the population has this finding, and it is usually of no significance. It is located in a similar part of the heart as an ASD, or atrial septal defect. An ASD, if large enough, usually warrants surgical repair. Sometimes, the two terms, ASD and PFO, are (incorrectly) used interchangeably.
I hope this has been useful. I wish you the best of luck.
If you would like to make an appointment at the Cleveland Clinic Heart Center, please call 1-800-CCF-CARE or inquire online by using the Heart Center website at www.ccf.org/heartcenter. The Heart Center website contains a directory of the cardiology
staff that can be used to select the physician best suited to address your cardiac problem.