CaRi-heart technology
Revolutionary new technology to assess the risk of a serious heart condition or heart attack – many years before anything happens.
Patent Foraman Ovale (PFO) closure
- No.1 in the UK for private cardiac care*
- Appointments in as little as 24 hours
- 99% of our cardiac patients would recommend us to friends and family
PATENT FORAMAN OVALE CLOSURE AT HCA UK
Why choose us?
We’ve successfully treated thousands of cardiac patients, and over 97% of those people would recommend us to their friends and family. That trust is what makes us the no.1 provider of private cardiac care in the UK. Our cardiac surgery has a 99% success rate, so if you need treatment for a hole in your heart, you can be sure you’ll be in safe hands with us.
You’ll be expertly cared for by leading consultants and multidisciplinary teams, using the latest technology and techniques to diagnose your condition and tailor your treatment. We’re ready to help you at our network of dedicated cardiac units at hospitals in London and Birmingham.
You’ll be expertly cared for by leading consultants and multidisciplinary teams, using the latest technology and techniques to diagnose your condition and tailor your treatment. We’re ready to help you at our network of dedicated cardiac units at hospitals in London and Birmingham.
A Patent Foraman Ovale (PFO) is a small hole between your heart’s upper chambers, which usually closes when you’re an infant. If it stays open, you may need a patent foraman ovale closure operation to close it later in life. This is a surgical procedure that uses a catheter to insert a device, which then expands to seal the hole in your heart. In some cases, if the hole is too large to be sealed with a device, your surgeon may close the hole by sewing it shut.
Most people who have a PFO don’t require surgery, but if the hole in your heart is a cause of potential health risks, closure surgery might be recommended. You’re more likely to need surgery if:
- You have suffered a stroke, or you’re at a high risk of developing blood clots that could lead to a stroke or a heart attack
- You are at risk of blood clots, or you’ve had a blood clot travel from your PFO to your brain
Your consultant will explain your specific condition in detail, and why they’re recommending this surgery for you.
PFO closure surgery is minimally invasive, meaning it only requires small incisions at the top of your leg, and it’s generally considered a safe procedure. There is a small risk of complications that can include bruising, abnormal heart rhythms or a stroke. There’s also a risk that your device can move out of place or fail to seal the hole in your heart. However, complications occur in less than 1% of cases, and your consultant will talk to you about any risks in detail before your surgery takes place.
250+
Cardiology consultants for you to choose from
36,000+
Cardiac patients treated each year
48 hours
Fast access to diagnostic test results
Rapid access to tests and scans
See a specialist and get on the path to an expert diagnosis in as little as 24 hours.
State-of-the-art facilities
Access innovative treatment options.
Wide-reaching expertise across the UK
Visit any of our 15 dedicated diagnostic centres in London, Manchester and Birmingham.
YOUR PATENT FORAMAN OVALE CLOSURE PROCESS WITH HCA UK
What to expect
You’ll be expertly cared for at every stage, and your consultant and team will make sure you’re comfortable and fully informed throughout your diagnosis, treatment and recovery. Your specific surgery will be precisely tailored to your condition, but this will give you a good idea of what to expect.
01
Initial consultation
The first step in this process is to have an initial consultation with one of our cardiologists. They’ll ask you about your medical history, your overall health and any treatments you’ve had for your condition, before explaining the diagnostic process and your potential treatment options.
02
Tests and scans
Before your surgery, your consultant needs to get the best possible picture of your heart’s structure, and how well it’s functioning. They’ll arrange for a series of tests and scans, using our state-of-the-art facilities. Those tests will likely include a bubble echocardiogram, and often a transoesophageal echocardiogram too. Sometimes an ECG, blood tests, a CT scan, or a coronary angiogram may be needed as well. We’ll aim to get your results back to you within 48 hours, and your consultant will discuss how they affect your treatment options.
03
The surgery itself
Most patent foraman ovale closure surgeries are performed under a general anaesthetic. A catheter will be inserted into a vein in your groin and passed up to your heart. The catheter has a small balloon inside it which inflates to measure the size of the hole in your heart. A device with two ‘umbrellas’ is then passed through the catheter until those umbrellas sit on either side of the hole in your heart, when they’ll open up, which helps to close the hole. Then your consultant will remove the catheter. The surgery usually takes around an hour.
04
Recovery
As soon as your surgeon’s finished inserting the closure device and withdrawn the catheter, you will be attached to a cardiac monitor for a few hours. This is to measure your heart rate and rhythm. An electrical sensor will also be attached to your finger to measure your oxygen levels. You’ll need to spend the night in hospital so we can monitor you.
Before you can go home, you’ll need to have another echocardiogram and an ECG. If those scans show that you’re okay, you should be able to go home.
Before you can go home, you’ll need to have another echocardiogram and an ECG. If those scans show that you’re okay, you should be able to go home.
05
Aftercare
Every patient recovers differently, and it can depend on your age and overall health. Your consultant will talk to you in detail about how best to manage your recovery at home, arrange for any follow-up appointments you need, and let you know how quickly you can get back to everyday activities, including driving, work and sport.
Where can I get patent foraman ovale closure treatment?
We have expert cardiologists and multidisciplinary teams waiting to take care of you at specialist hospitals in London and Birmingham. We’ll ensure you get the best possible treatment at every stage.
Accessing private health care
Self-pay
You don’t need health insurance to be seen quickly. If you’re looking for a diagnosis or treatment and don’t want to wait, all our private healthcare services – from private GP appointments through to surgery and aftercare – can be paid for as and when you need them.
And to give you peace of mind from the start, we’ll offer you a clear and transparent quote outlining exactly what’s included in your self-pay package.
Patent foraman ovale closure FAQ
Most people with a PFO don’t suffer any negative symptoms or require any treatment. However, in some cases, there’s a risk that a blood clot can travel through the hole in your heart and reach your brain, leading to a stroke or a transient ischemic attack (TIA) or ‘mini stroke.’ If you’re concerned about your heart in any way, please get in touch with our cardiac care team.
Your consultant will want to arrange for follow-up appointments to monitor your recovery, and you will be proscribed blood thinning medication to help prevent your blood clotting around the device as it heals in your heart. If you need any advice on managing your lifestyle to keep your heart in optimum health, your team will talk you through it.
No. PFO is a common condition, and around 25% of people have it, but it’s not genetic.
You can have a PFO and not experience any symptoms at all. Many people don’t even know they have one until it’s spotted during tests and scans for other conditions.
Our patients’ stories
“Clearly an absolute expert in his field, Neil has all of the qualities I’d like to see in someone who I trust to undertake heart surgery on my heart.”
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*Based on national private cardiac volumes. Data source: The Private Healthcare Information Network. 1 January 2025-1 December 2025