Patent Foramen Ovale

PFO Closure

Stroke is the leading preventable cause of long-term severe disability. One third of ischaemic strokes are classified as cryptogenic, or due to unknown causes.

A Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO) is a hole occurring in the tissue between the left and right atria of the heart.

25% of people have a PFO and up to 40-50% of patients who have had a cryptogenic stroke have a PFO.

Recent large trials have shown that closing the PFO with a minimally invasive procedure results in a significant reduction in recurrent stroke.