Patent Foramen Ovale Closure: State of the Art

Patent foramen ovale (PFO) is common and occurs in 20 –34% of the population.1 In most infants, the foramen ovale closes soon after birth, with a reduction in pulmonary vascular resistance raising the left atrial pressure above that of the right atrium during the first few breaths, closing the septum. In a significant proportion of individuals, the primum and secundum atrial septa do not fuse, and the foramen ovale remains incompletely closed.
Source: Radcliffe Cardiology - Category: Cardiology Source Type: research