Patent Foramen Ovale 

  • Author: Sandy N Shah, DO, MBA; Chief Editor: Park W Willis IV, MD   more...
 
Updated: May 23, 2010
 

Background

Patent foramen ovale (PFO) is an anatomical interatrial communication with potential for right-to-left shunt. Foramen ovale has been known since the time of Galen. In 1564, Leonardi Botali, an Italian surgeon, was the first to describe the presence of foramen ovale at birth. However, the function of foramen ovale in utero was not known at that time. In 1877, Cohnheim described paradoxical embolism in relation to PFO.

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Pathophysiology

PFO is a flaplike opening between the atrial septa primum and secundum at the location of the fossa ovalis that persists after age 1 year. In utero, the foramen ovale serves as a physiologic conduit for right-to-left shunting. Once the pulmonary circulation is established after birth, left atrial pressure increases, allowing functional closure of the foramen ovale. This is followed by anatomical closure of the septum primum and septum secundum by the age of 1 year.

The Mayo Clinic autopsy study revealed that the size of a PFO increases from a mean of 3.4 mm in the first decade to 5.8 mm in the 10th decade of life, as the valve of fossa ovalis stretches with age.[1]

With increasing evidence that PFO is the culprit in paradoxical embolic events, the relative importance of the anomaly is being reevaluated. James Lock, MD, postulated that PFO anatomy results in a cul-de-sac between the septa primum and secundum, predisposing individuals to hemostasis and clot formation. Any conditions that increase right atrial pressure more than left atrial pressure can induce paradoxical flow and may result in an embolic event.

This reasoning has greatly altered the previous conception of PFO and is changing current management of the condition.

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Epidemiology

Frequency

United States

PFO is detected in 10-15% of the population by contrast transthoracic echocardiography. Autopsy studies show a 27% prevalence of probe-patent foramen ovale.[1] This difference is probably due to the ability to directly visualize PFO on autopsy study, while contrast echocardiography relies on detection of secondary physiologic phenomena.

Sex

The prevalence and size of probe-patent PFO is similar in males and females.

Age

The prevalence of PFO declines progressively with age — 34% up to age 30 years, 25% for age 30-80 years, and 20% older than 80 years.

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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Sandy N Shah, DO, MBA  Cardiologist, Houston, Texas

Sandy N Shah, DO, MBA, is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Cardiology, American Heart Association, and American Osteopathic Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Park W Willis IV, MD  Sarah Graham Distinguished Professor of Medicine and Pediatrics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine

Park W Willis IV, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Society of Echocardiography

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD  Senior Pharmacy Editor, eMedicine

Disclosure: eMedicine Salary Employment

Marschall S Runge, MD, PhD  Charles and Anne Sanders Distinguished Professor of Medicine, Chairman, Department of Medicine, Vice Dean for Clinical Affairs, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine

Marschall S Runge, MD, PhD is a member of the following medical societies: American Association for the Advancement of Science, American College of Cardiology, American College of Physicians-American Society of Internal Medicine, American Federation for Clinical Research, American Federation for Medical Research, American Heart Association, American Physiological Society, American Society for Clinical Investigation, American Society for Investigative Pathology, Association of American Physicians, Association of Professors of Cardiology, Association of Professors of Medicine, Southern Society for Clinical Investigation, and Texas Medical Association

Disclosure: Pfizer Honoraria Speaking and teaching; Merck Honoraria Speaking and teaching; Orthoclinica Diagnostica Consulting fee Consulting

Amer Suleman, MD  Consultant in Electrophysiology and Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Medical City Dallas Hospital

Amer Suleman, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Physicians, American Heart Association, American Institute of Stress, American Society of Hypertension, Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology, Royal Society of Medicine, and Society of Cardiac Angiography and Interventions

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Park W Willis IV, MD  Sarah Graham Distinguished Professor of Medicine and Pediatrics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine

Park W Willis IV, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Society of Echocardiography

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

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