Re: Info

Posted By (Mr) Abbie Lipschutz on February 21, 1999 at 22:09:55:

In Reply to: Re: Info posted by CCF CARDIO MD - DLB on February 16, 1999 at 09:06:32:






25 yrs ago when I was 10 months old, I had a TAPVD & a large ASD fixed.  At a recent appt with a cardiologist they said that I had a PFO with crossover.  They said that this should be fixed because of the possibility of a clot crossing & stroke.  I have not been able to find any diagrams on where this problem would be.  The Dr. said that sometime I would want to have it fixed, but I do not have to have it fixed anytime soon.  The reason they want me to wait is for a new procedure to be FDA approved where it could be fixed through a catheder with a "clam shell device".  
The main question I have is where I can obtain information on this to see where it is in the heart & if it needs to be fixed.  
Thank-You for your response.
Holly





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Dear Holly
It sounds like you have a patent foramen ovale with shunting of the blood from the right atrium to the left atrium. However, with your history, it could be a leak from a residual ASD. In any case, whether it needs to be fixed depends on the size of the connection and the degree of shunting. We are currently using the clamshell device here at the Cleveland Clinic, on an investigational basis, with good results.
I hope this has been useful. I wish you the best of luck. Feel free to write back.
Information provided here is for general purposes only. Specific questions should be addressed to your own doctor. 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.