In late March, Dr. Ganji began performing the patent framen ovale (PFO) closure procedure at Moses Cone Hospital.  The PFO is an opening in the fetal heart, between the left and right atrium, which allows blood to bypass the lungs before birth, because fetuses get their oxygen supply from the mother.  Once the baby takes his/her first breath, the pressure closes the opening, but in 15-25% of the population may have a small hole.  According to Dr. Ganji, medical research shows that people younger than 55 who have had a stroke--and who do not have risk factors including smoking, family history of stroke, diabetes, hypertension and illicit drug abuse--often also have a PFO that did not close at birth. 

The patient could be facing a 10-15% chance of having another stroke.  Closing the PFO reduces the chance to less than 2%.  After identifying patients using transesophageal echocardiograms and consults with neurologists, Dr. Ganji uses cardiac catherization to thread a tiny device, similar to two unopened umbrellas, into the heart.  At the opening, the umbrellas are opened, with one on one side of the opening and the other on the other side, then tightened together and left in place.  Some patients over 55 may benefit from the procedure in an appropriate clinical setting.

This is the first time this procedure has been offered in Guilford and surrounding counties