What are the symptoms of patent foramen ovale?

The foramen ovale is a body tissue that everyone has, but it often has problems. These problems can be big or small, and they occur in a wide range of people. In addition to adults, children also have them. For example, if the foramen ovale is not closed, it should be taken seriously to prevent more serious consequences. So what are the symptoms of a patent foramen ovale?

The foramen ovale usually closes in the first year after birth. If the foramen ovale of a child over 3 years old still does not close, it is called a patent foramen ovale. 20% to 25% of adults have incompletely closed foramen ovale. Patent foramen ovale is currently the most common congenital heart abnormality in adults, and approximately 1 in 4 people in the normal population may be found to suffer from this disease. For a long time, people believed that patent foramen ovale generally does not cause shunting between the two chambers and has no effect on the hemodynamics of the heart, and therefore it is considered "insignificant."

Many studies in recent years have shown that there is a close connection between patent foramen ovale and patients with unexplained stroke. This is because the following emboli can enter the left heart system through the patent foramen ovale and cause corresponding clinical symptoms: ① thrombosis in the deep veins of the lower limbs or pelvic veins; ② air emboli caused by decompression sickness or decompression sickness; ③ fat emboli formed after surgery or trauma. Moreover, for patients with patent foramen ovale who have experienced thrombotic events, the risk of recurrence is still very high. Therefore, targeted treatment of the cause and closure of the open foramen ovale in high-risk groups are expected to reduce the incidence of patients. In addition, it has been found that patent foramen ovale is associated with the onset of decompression sickness, migraine, etc. Closing the foramen ovale may be beneficial to the above patients.

Patent foramen ovale is usually asymptomatic, with a difficult to hear murmur and normal electrocardiogram and chest X-ray. Therefore, it is not easy to find and is not taken seriously by people.

Patent foramen ovale should be differentiated from small atrial septal defect, mainly through cardiac ultrasound. Atrial septal defect is a small continuous interruption in the atrial septum shown on transthoracic or transesophageal ultrasound. The continuous interruption in the atrial septum is usually >4mm.