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PFO WITH COMPLICATIONS

I am an otherwise healthy 61 yr old female who has had 2 suspected "TIA's, 2 yrs apart.  All tests proved that I had no clogs, etc. but a TEE had the following: An atrial septum aneurysm, PFO with clear left to right shunting. It also said a bubble contrast study showed a right to left shunting with moderate mitral regurgitation.  I am confused about the fact that the shunting goes both left to right and right to left, & the seriousness of that.  I had an appt with a specialist that said that since I have had GI bleed in the past & am on meds for that, he recommended a procedure to close the PFO.  My question is: Is there anyone out there who has had similar diagnosis & what route/options did they choose? I am not afraid of the procedure, but am confused as to whether closing the hole will take care of all of the problems??  Appreciate any comments?? Thanks, Mattie16
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Avatar universal
Hi TKat,
Thank you so much for letting me know.  I know no one that has had the closure done & it sounds like hers is a really good happy ending!  I am scheduled for my closure 3/1st & pray for the same success.  I, too hope to have more energy after this is over.  I thank you for letting me know & I wish you & your family years of good health!
Thanks, Glenda
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Avatar universal
I saw your question and wanted to let you know that just last year my 39 year old sister started having tingling in her fingers and hands, headaches, high blood pressure and high cholestrol all at once. About 3 wks after this started she was sitting at work when she lost control on her left side. They took her to the hospital and they thought she had a TIA (mini stroke) Luckily she was seeing a Cardiologist and Neurologist so they did Echo's TEE's, EKG, etc. They sent all to the Mayo clinic and they discovered she had a PFO w/ASA. I believe her shunting was right to left. The unfiltered blood was going to her brain causing her to have an actual stroke not a TIA like they thought. The Mayo clinic performed the closure surgery thru the cardiac catherization and she is doing just fine now. They use a small devise that goes in and balloons up over the hole and when we went back in 6 months it had formed over the hole as it was suppose to and she doesn't have to go back again. She has more energy and is doing just fine.  So don't quit asking questions because my sister was lucky since her stroke was minor but I don't know if that is the norm.  Good luck.
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