PFO And ASD Closure
PFO & ASD Closures
A Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO) and Atrial Septal Defect (ASD) are conditions involving an opening in the interatrial septum, the wall that separates the left and right atria of the heart. These defects can allow abnormal blood flow between the chambers and may require closure depending on their size and impact on heart function.
Understanding Atrial Septal Defects
An ASD is a congenital heart defect present from birth
It allows blood to pass between the left and right atria
This can result in the mixing of oxygen-rich and oxygen-poor blood
The clinical impact varies based on the size of the defect
What Is a Shunt
Abnormal blood flow between the heart chambers is known as a shunt
Shunts may be left-to-right or right-to-left
The degree of shunting determines its hemodynamic significance
Right-to-left shunts are typically considered more dangerous