About the PFO Closure Procedure
What happens during the PFO closure procedure?
First you will receive a sedating medicine to help you relax. You will also receive a local anesthetic. Once you are relaxed and comfortable, your doctor will begin the procedure.
Your doctor will make a small incision (cut) and insert a tube called a catheter into your groin area. The PFO occluder travels inside the catheter. Your doctor will guide the catheter through your body to your heart.
Then your doctor will place the PFO occluder across your PFO. Cardiac imaging tools will help your doctor confirm that the occluder is in the right position before removing the catheter.
Then your doctor will remove the catheters. The occluder will stay in your heart. You will be resting in the recovery room in about 2 hours.
PFO closure is not open heart surgery.
What happens after the PFO closure procedure?
You should expect to be home within 24 hours. Before you go home, your doctor will talk to you about your care, including any medication you may need to take. You may be prescribed aspirin (81 to 325 mg) and clopidogrel (75 mg) to be taken daily for 1 month after the procedure, followed by daily aspirin (81 to 325 mg) alone for at least 5 additional months.
About 6 months after your PFO occluder is implanted, your doctor will perform a test called an echocardiogram to see how you are responding.
Regular check-ups with your doctor are very important. Call or see your doctor whenever you have questions or if you have any unusual problems, such as bleeding, pain, discomfort, or changes in your overall health.
