title: When to close a patent foramen ovale.
abstract: Transcatheter closure of the patent foramen ovale was the most common interventional procedure performed in our adult congenital heart disease unit in 2006. Although the prevalence of patent foramen ovale is similar in children, closure is rarely performed in this group despite susceptibility to similar defect-related morbidity. In this review we question whether this should remain the case.
authors.affiliation: Bristol Congenital Heart Centre, Bristol Royal Hospital for Children and Bristol Royal Infirmary, Upper Maudlin Street, Bristol, UK.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kenny
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Turner
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Martin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016275:Atrial Function; D002648:Child; D003665:Decompression Sickness / Q000209:etiology; D004242:Diving / Q000009:adverse effects; D004452:Echocardiography; D017548:Echocardiography, Transesophageal; D054092:Foramen Ovale, Patent / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D006321:Heart / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D020325:Migraine with Aura / Q000209:etiology; D020521:Stroke / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control