Before the birth of the child the right half of the heart communicates with the left through a patent foramen ovale. After the birth of the window should be closed. But this is not all.
In the first weeks of life, ovale closes at two of the three children.
If left open oval window in the adult, it is likely that nothing bad will happen.
But sometimes it happens.
strange stroke
In our veins sometimes form small clots. They travel through the bloodstream and through the right side of the heart into the lungs. There, they get stuck in the filter without any noticeable consequences.
Things are more difficult if the right side of the heart are connected to the left through a patent foramen ovale. Then the small clot can fly past the light and go into the systemic circulation. Along the way, he can grow like a snowball, and under unfavorable circumstances clog any artery in the brain. As it turns out stroke.
Who needs to close the patent foramen ovale
- For those who have already been a cerebrovascular accident.
- For those who have the defect is too large and this heart is full of blood.
Modern devices covering the oval window, similar to a fungus from the grid. Such a device is carried through the blood vessels in the heart and cover the defect. Grid then germinate connective tissue.
If you have found a patent foramen ovale, do not forget to warn about this to your doctors.
