Patent Foramen Ovale: The door within out hearts

A patent foramen ovale (PFO) is best thought of as a communication at the level of the atrial septum between the left heart and the right heart.  It is found in 25-30% of a normal healthy population and usually does not cause any symptoms, impact on quality of life or lifespan. Many people refer to it as a ‘hole in the heart’ although strictly speaking, a PFO is more like a flap or a partially ope [...]