Publication Date
1-1-2022
Journal
Annals of Pediatric Cardiology
DOI
10.4103/apc.apc_67_21
PMID
35847406
PMCID
PMC9280096
PubMedCentral® Posted Date
6-14-2022
PubMedCentral® Full Text Version
Post-print
Published Open-Access
yes
Keywords
Children, decompression sickness, management, migraine, patent foramen ovale, platypnea–orthodeoxia syndrome, stroke
Abstract
A patent foramen ovale (PFO) is a frequent incidental finding during echocardiography in otherwise healthy children. In most healthy children with a diagnosis of isolated incidental PFO, no further follow-up or intervention is necessary. In some children, PFO is associated with certain clinical syndromes such as cryptogenic stroke, decompression sickness, migraine, and platypnea-orthodeoxia syndrome. This review discusses PFO anatomy, diagnostic imaging, PFO-associated clinical situations, management options, and the role of PFO in certain congenital heart disease. This review also highlights the current deficiency of pediatric data guiding management of these uncommon but important PFO-associated conditions. Future multicenter randomized controlled studies are necessary to guide the management of these unique and challenging PFO-associated conditions.