Who is suitable for PFO assessment?

Any young patient who has had a thromboembolic event without an obvious cause such as atherosclerosis and major CV risk factors. Specifically CVA/TIA, amourosis fugax, myocardial infarct, peripheral or any central embolic event such as mesenteric ischaemia and renal infarction.

NB: Remember Atrial Fibrillation occurs commonly in patients with atrial shunts and independently increases the thromboembolic risk.

  • ​Any young patient with unexplained brain MRI changes consistent with ischaemia.
  • ​​Migraine with aura patients who you consider are:
    • significantly debilitated
    • experience a major lifestyle impact
    • failure of standard medical therapy due to intolerance or a poor efficacious response
    • Aura with hemiplegia or blindness
  • Commercial diver or any diver with migraine or previous decompression illness
  • Unexplained dyspnoea

Other Questions

What is a PFO?

The Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO)...

Associated Conditions

Previously thought to be a relatively...

Who is suitable for PFO assessment?

Any young patient who has had a thromboembolic...

Who we are

Heartbrain Private Clinic is a neuro-cardiac clinic...

How to refer

Medial practitioners can call 1300 388 172 or...