Heart

Would be really greatfull if somebody could tell me what an aneurysmal intra-atrial septum means, also what PFO stands for as I have been told this is what I have but has not been explained to me. There is also an abnormal echobright structure around the tricuspid annulus, again I have no idea what any of this means. Thanks.

[Darcy Green Conaway, MD]

PFO stands for 'patent foramen ovale'. The foramen ovale is normal in utero and in most people closes but in about 25-30% of the population it stays open and can allow blood to cross it. An aneurysmal septum means that the tissue separating the left atrium and the right atrium is "loose"....to meet criteria it has to move 1cm from the midline. The combination of a PFO and a septal aneurysm has been showed to increase the risk of stroke. It is debateable how best to treat this but most cardiologists put people with these findings on a full dose aspirin (325mg)daily; if there has been a stroke we would consider anticoagulation with a blood thinner.

[DMV1128]

A related discussion, Treatment for Aneurysmal intr-atrial septum was started.