Some people suffer from a valve-like hole in the heart, a condition known as patent foramen ovale (PFO). PFO is actually an opening in the wall between the two upper chambers of the heart. It is usually present in the foetus inside the womb, where it is required for efficient blood and oxygen circulation before the lungs of the baby start working.
Once the baby is born, the hole closes automatically to separate the two chambers. However, in some people the hole does not close properly. Patients born with PFO continue to live with it without any symptoms. Certain people however face significantly increased risk of stroke and migraine due to this condition. (Migraine is a neurological syndrome characterized by altered bodily experiences, painful headaches, and nausea)
When pressure is created inside the chest due to any reason(for example coughing) , the flap covering the hole can open and allow blood to flow in either direction. This would mean blood can bypass the filtering system of the lungs. While it might not cause any major issues, if any debris present in the blood, such as small blood clots, travel to and lodge in the brain, they can lead to a stroke.
It is possible to surgically close the hole with a graft; however this can cause permanent damage to surrounding tissue. To overcome this problem, the team of researchers from Royal Brompton Hospital used a special patch. The patch plugs the hole on a temporary basis and allows the body sufficient time to replace it with healthy normal tissue. This usually happens within 30 days.
The use of tissue grafts can cause an inflammatory reaction, which can lead to problems. Instead, this treatment does the repair job and then disappears in a natural way. The healing is very similar to how the body would heal itself normally. Dr. Michael Mullen, a consultant cardiologist, has so far used the device on 70 patients who were all deemed to be at high risk of stroke on account of their PFO. He has had success with some of his patients reporting disappearance of their migraines after the treatment.
Nearly 6 million people in the UK suffer from migraines. Paul Jansen of the Migraine Action Association feels the findings bring good tidings for migraine sufferers.
Adapted from: Ivanhoe Newswire
To watch the video:mms://rodan.implex.net/alliedvaughn/Ivanhoe/Ivanhoe20221_700.wmv
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