Patent Foramen Ovale

Patent Foramen Ovale

Signs and Symptoms
Diagnosis
Treatment

Diagnosis

To diagnose a patent foramen ovale (PFO), your doctor will ask about your medical history and conduct a thorough medical exam. You also will have a test called an echocardiogram to make a definite diagnosis. This is a non-invasive test that uses sound waves to create detailed moving images of your heart.

Reviewed by health care specialists at UCSF Children's Hospital.
Last updated May 8, 2007