Patent Foramen Ovale in Elderly: A Cadaveric Case Report

Abstract

Patent foramen ovale is rare in elderly, over the age of 60 years. It is most common form of atrial septal defect. It is experiencing increased clinical interest as a congenital cardiac lesion persisting into adulthood. Knowledge about PFO is very important for its association with various congenital & other valvular heart diseases. In the view of these considerations we are presenting a case report of a patent foramen ovale with length of 1.2 cm in an elderly male cadaver approximately 72 years of age. The person had a normal built up and appeared emaciated. With no other anomalous findings in the heart, it appears that the foramen ovale was probe patent. The present finding belongs to ostium secundum type of PFO. This study will focus on elderly patients with sizeable PFO who do not have other major associated cardiac defects. In the aged a well-defined clinical picture is often present, and may be seen with minimal impairment of cardiac function and no significant cardiac symptoms.