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9 Comments

  1. Terri
    16 April 2017 @ 7:06 am

    I had a PFO closure back in 2007 at Shawnee Mission Medical Center as a live web cast for OR Live. It had no effect on my migraines. I would still recommend that anyone with this type of ASD have the closure done though since it also reduces the risk of stroke!

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  2. M Simmons
    9 May 2017 @ 11:39 am

    There have been an inordinate amount of PFO closures done by one doctor in the state of Utah, that are now being investigated for being unnecessary. I had one of these devices placed and the doctor and Gore company were misleading about the content of the device; after having nothing but health problems since it being placed, we recently learned I am allergic after discovering the true composition of the device. I have had it removed and my symptoms are diminishing. I was not experiencing migraines prior to having the PFO closure, but suffered from frequent headaches and migraines after the device was placed. There is plenty of information about this online, including medical research on the benefits and drawbacks of PFO closure–I encourage everyone to do their research and self-advocate!

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    • Erind Pepi
      30 August 2017 @ 3:44 am

      Hi there,

      How many months after the implant did you remove the device? Was it removed the same way it was placed or did you have to go through traditional surgery?
      I had the implant about 3 months ago in Stockholm with the GORE device. Some weeks after the surgery I started getting extra heart beats, that many as I felt like I was running out of breath. This was solved with beta-blocker medicine for the heart. It’s been now a month and a half I am having extreme headaches and what I believe migraines. At times my left hand is weak, at other times my right hand is weak. It is keeping me from work and and paracetamol and codeine are not helping either.

      Would appreciate an answer.

      Thanks!
      Erind

      Reply

  3. Marcin
    5 January 2018 @ 12:51 pm

    Sorry for being pedantic but the PFO is not between chambers (or ventricles as shown in the picture above) but between atria. It might seem an insignificant detail but it makes real difference.
    Best,
    Marcin

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    • James
      9 January 2018 @ 1:06 pm

      Thanks for the comment, Marcin! You’re right, my language and the picture are both imprecise. I referred to the atria as “chambers”, just as a general term. The four chambers would be two atria and two ventricles.

      Reply

  4. Stephmie
    5 February 2018 @ 1:54 am

    After having a status migraine for 18 months, shortness of breath, fatigue and a suspected mini-stroke, I had an amplatzer placed. This was in 2011 when the PFO was finally diagnosed. I do still take some preventive meds for migraine and have occasional breakthrough, but I have my life back. I definitely was not getting enough oxygen before the repair.

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  5. Kathryn McClatchy
    22 September 2018 @ 1:19 am

    Episodic Migraineur since childhood. Two strokes at 37. Discovered and patched PFO (surgeon at large teaching hospital said largest hole he’d ever seen). After that successful PFO closure… three more strokes and now a decade of chronic migraines. I don’t believe the closure made the migraines worse, the strokes probably did that. But, the PFO closure certainly did not improve the stroke risk or help the migraines.

    Glad this article provided more accurate info than most I’ve read. It may help some, but is not the cure we’re dreaming of. I am very intrigues by the connection between PFO, stroke, and migraine, though.

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  6. Stephanie
    22 September 2018 @ 1:54 pm

    Can anyone tell me how they test for this problem?

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  7. Stephmie
    25 September 2018 @ 8:35 am

    PFO is best diagnoses with trans esophageal echocardiogram.

    Reply

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