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Patent foramen ovale - Symptom

Alternative Names

PFO

Symptoms:

Infants with a patent foramen ovale and no other heart defects do not have symptoms.

Signs and tests:

An echocardiogram can be done to diagnose a PFO. If the PFO is not easily seen, a cardiologist can perform a "bubble test." Saline solution (salt water) is injected into the body. If a PFO exists, air bubbles will occur from the right to left side of the heart.

  • Reviewed last on: 12/10/2007
  • David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.; and Mark A Fogel, MD, FACC, FAAP, Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Radiology, Director of Cardiac MR, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.