Congenital

Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO).

Expert second opinions for patent foramen ovale (pfo). Dual-physician Heart Team review with triple risk scoring. Results in 24 hours.

25% of adults have a PFO
Prevalence
Device closure mortality <0.1%
Key Outcome
10,000+ PFO closures annually in the US
Procedures
Quick Answer

Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO) ) is a flap-like opening between the upper heart chambers that persists from fetal circulation. If you are facing a decision about patent foramen ovale (pfo), an independent Heart Team second opinion can confirm whether surgery is the right choice and identify alternatives. WhiteGloveMD delivers dual-physician review with STS, EuroSCORE II, and AATS risk scoring in 24 hours. Get an independent second opinion →

Overview

Understanding patent foramen ovale (pfo).

A patent foramen ovale (PFO) is a flap-like opening between the upper heart chambers that persists from fetal circulation. Present in approximately 25% of adults, PFOs are usually harmless. However, they can serve as a conduit for blood clots to cross from the venous to the arterial system, potentially causing strokes (paradoxical embolism).

Why It Matters

Why you need a second opinion.

PFO closure decisions are nuanced. Recent trials support closure in select patients under 60 with cryptogenic stroke and high-risk PFO features (atrial septal aneurysm, large shunt). However, attributing a stroke to a PFO requires careful exclusion of other causes. Both over-treatment and under-treatment are common.

Critical Decisions

Key decisions for patent foramen ovale (pfo).

PFO closure vs medical therapy after cryptogenic stroke
Risk stratification using RoPE score
Device selection and procedural planning
Exclusion of other stroke etiologies
Post-closure antiplatelet strategy
Risk Factors

What affects your risk.

PFO size and shunt magnitude
Atrial septal aneurysm
RoPE score for PFO-attributable stroke risk
Recurrent embolic events
Deep vein thrombosis history
Our Review

What our Heart Team provides.

Dual-physician review (cardiac surgeon + cardiologist)
Triple risk scoring (STS PROM, EuroSCORE II, AATS)
ACC/AHA guideline mapping with evidence grades
Treatment alternatives with risk-benefit comparison
Surgeon and institution matching via Sentinel
Personalized question guide for your next appointment
Complete provenance trail for every conclusion
Results delivered within 24 hours
Common Questions

Frequently asked questions.

Do I need surgery for patent foramen ovale (pfo)?

Surgery for patent foramen ovale (pfo) depends on symptom severity, imaging findings, and risk profile. Guidelines from the AHA/ACC define specific thresholds, but many patients fall into gray zones where a second opinion meaningfully changes the recommendation. PFO closure decisions are nuanced. Recent trials support closure in select patients under 60 with cryptogenic stroke and high-risk PFO features (atrial septal aneurysm, large shunt). However, attributing a stroke to a PFO requires careful exclusion of other causes. Both over-treatment and under-treatment are common.

What are the risks of patent foramen ovale (pfo) surgery?

Operative mortality for patent foramen ovale (pfo)-related cardiac surgery is calculated using validated models including STS PROM, EuroSCORE II, and AATS. Individual risk depends on age, comorbidities, frailty, ejection fraction, and surgeon/center volume. Our free calculator at whiteglovemd.com/tools/risk-calculator estimates your specific risk across all three models in real time.

Should I get a second opinion before patent foramen ovale (pfo) surgery?

Yes. Studies show that 30-40% of expert cardiac surgery second opinions change the original treatment plan — sometimes by recommending less-invasive alternatives, sometimes by clarifying that watchful waiting is safer. WhiteGloveMD pairs a cardiac surgeon and cardiologist with our Clintelligence multi-agent AI pipeline to deliver an independent review in 24 hours, starting at $500.

What is the best treatment for patent foramen ovale (pfo)?

The optimal treatment for patent foramen ovale (pfo) depends on anatomy, comorbidities, age, and personal goals. PFO closure vs medical therapy after cryptogenic stroke. A Heart Team review evaluates every viable option — including transcatheter approaches, repair vs replacement, and surgeon/center matching — rather than defaulting to a single recommendation.

Clinical References
  1. Stout KK, Daniels CJ, Aboulhosn JA, et al. 2018 AHA/ACC Guideline for the Management of Adults With Congenital Heart Disease. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2019;73(12):e81-e192.
  2. O'Brien SM, Feng L, He X, et al. The Society of Thoracic Surgeons 2018 Adult Cardiac Surgery Risk Models. Ann Thorac Surg. 2018;105(5):1411-1418.
  3. Nashef SAM, Roques F, Sharples LD, et al. EuroSCORE II. Eur J Cardiothorac Surg. 2012;41(4):734-745.

Reading on patent foramen ovale (pfo)

See all articles →
Risk Assessment
EuroSCORE II Explained: What This European Cardiac Surgery Risk Score Means for Your Heart Surgery Decision

EuroSCORE II is one of the most widely used risk calculators in cardiac surgery worldwide. Learn what the European cardiac surgery risk score actually measures, how it compares to the STS risk model, and why understanding your score matters before you consent to an operation.

Serrie Lico, MD · May 24, 2026
Diagnostics
Cardiac Stress Test Results: What Your Exercise Echo or Nuclear Stress Test Actually Means

A world-class imaging cardiologist explains how to read and understand your cardiac stress test results — whether you had an exercise stress echo, nuclear stress test, or pharmacologic study. Learn what abnormal findings really mean for your heart and what comes next.

Kunal U. Gurav, MD · May 23, 2026
Risk Assessment
EuroSCORE II Explained: What This European Cardiac Surgery Risk Score Means for Your Heart Surgery Decision

EuroSCORE II is one of the most widely used cardiac surgery risk calculators in the world. As a cardiovascular surgeon, I explain what this European risk score measures, how it compares to the STS risk model, and what patients need to understand before surgery.

Rahul R. Handa, MD · May 22, 2026
Diagnostics
Understanding Your Echocardiogram: A Cardiologist's Guide to TTE vs TEE and What Your Results Actually Mean

A fellowship-trained cardiac imaging specialist explains the key differences between TTE and TEE echocardiograms, what your results mean, and how accurate echocardiogram interpretation can change your surgical plan. Practical guidance for patients and families navigating cardiac imaging decisions.

Kunal U. Gurav, MD · May 18, 2026

Related conditions.

Coronary Artery Anomalies
Atrial Septal Defect (Adult)
Ventricular Septal Defect (Adult)

Get an expert opinion on your patent foramen ovale (pfo).

WhiteGloveMD delivers a dual-physician, AI-augmented second opinion in 24 hours. Starting at $500.

Start Your Review Try the Risk Calculator