New, less invasive procedure to close a PFO...

[DeepSeaDan]

Good news for those requiring surgical correction of an existing Patent Foramen Ovale:

Local cardiologist corrects defect without open heart surgery - Kingsport Times-News Online

Best,
DSD

 

[TSandM]

I don't believe this is actually that new, although it may be new to the community where that paper is published. I'm quite sure our own Debersole performs this procedure, and has for some time. The device was approved in 2001, and UCLA began using it in 2002 (results of a brief Google search). It is very good news for people with a PFO that there is a percutaneous approach to the problem, though!

 

[DrSteveJohnson]

The Amplatzer is a well established treatment for PFO. It is inserted via a guide wire cannula through the femoral vein up into the heart and then deployed across the foramen.

Steve

http:\\diving-network.com

 

[D_B]

Yep .. I know someone thats had it done and been retested afterwards and it's working

 

[JTemple]

While this is not new, there is indeed a new procedure out there. Instead of implanting a device like the Amplatzer or Helex, etc., doctors in the UK are using the Sutura stitch device via catheter to place a couple of stitches across the PFO. A very interesting idea, much better IMHO than having a device embedded in the heart wall, and especially interesting for people who are allergic to nickel (like me), as the traditional devices are all made of nitinol, a nickel/titanium blend.

I am so convinced about this new method that I will probably be having this done to fix my PFO some time in the next few months. Just waiting for the manufacturer and UCSF to get their acts together, set up the study protocols, etc. Yep, I'll be a guinea pig.

Sutura SuperStitch - Home

It's been done a handful of times in the UK so far, and I believe once in the US. My doctors are meeting with the manufacturer some time in the next couple of weeks, when we hope to get the most recent data as to how the patients are doing, statistics about the closure rates (which I believe are 100%!), info about any complications, etc.

It is a very exciting development!!!!!

 

[TekDiveGirl]

I had my PFO closed in July 2007 with the Amplatzer closure device.

I had an Echo w/bubble study 6 months post op and again at 1 year post op and both showed no bubbling at all.

My cardiologist wants me to follow up in a year with another bubble study to make sure everything is holding like it should.

 

[JTemple]

I'm glad to hear you are doing well. We've never talked before, but I have followed your story.

I had a very bad case of skin bends in April 08, in Manado, and did 3 rides in the chamber (1 table 6, 2 x table 5). When I got back to the US at the end of June, they found the PFO. I was all set to go forward with the Helex at the end of October (not the Amplatzer because it has much more metal and there are concerns because of my nickel allergy), but then my cardiologist called me to tell me about this new method. After lots of research and soul searching, I decided the Sutura was how I wanted to proceed. Just makes more sense to me personally to go this route since it is available, and if the few people who have had it done are doing well. Hopefully they'll do it soon, it's been a long and frustrating wait. They may still end up having to use the Helex if, once they get in there and try to place the stitches, they find they can't get the angles right or something. But I'm hoping for the Sutura.

You can see my PFO images from the TEE here: My PFO - a set on Flickr

 

[Dr. Doug Ebersole]

I'm a cardiologist and have been closing these for years. In fact, I just did one this past Friday for a diver with recurrent "underserved" ( the new term is now "unexpected") DCS hits. It takes about an hour and I send patients home the following morning though some docs send them home the same afternoon. Diving can resume in about 3 months in most cases.

Personally, I use the Amplatzer device as it has the best data. I've also used the Starclose and Helix devices. Sutura is a new procedure which is interesting and does get by the nickel allergy some people have.

 

[BubbleBlocker]

I'm a cardiologist and have been closing these for years. In fact, I just did one this past Friday for a diver with recurrent "underserved" ( the new term is now "unexpected") DCS hits.

And, as the diver in question, I can say that the procedure went quite well! :yelclap: I think the anticipation/anxiety beforehand was the worst part.

 

[Dr. Doug Ebersole]

Thanks, Ellen. Glad to hear you are doing well.

Doug