Treating Congenital Defects
At the Inova Heart and Vascular Institute, we not only care for adult patients but also collaborate with Inova Fairfax Hospital for Children to treat pediatric patients. As the only health care system in the region equipped to diagnose and treat both adult and pediatric heart patients, our physicians collaborate on treatments and diagnoses that span from neonatal to geriatric care.
Our cardiologists use techniques originally designed for children on those adults who are diagnosed with congenital heart defects such as patent foramen ovale and atrial septal defect.
Patent forament ovale (PFO) is the persistence of the fetal opening between right and left atria, and when not closed, can sometimes lead to stroke. In 15 to 20 percent of the population, this opening never closes completely and may allow blood to pass between the right and left atrium, bypassing the lungs.
An atrial septal defect (ASD) is a larger hole in the atrial wall. For both of these defects, cardiologists use a catheter to insert closure devices that repair the defect. As our physicians continue to use these devices, they will participate in clinical trials to test their effectiveness in adults.
Treating PFOs:
There are two types of surgical PFO repair:
Non-surgical treatment