Coronary Artery Bypass
Treating Congenital Defects
At the Inova Heart and Vascular Institute, we not only care for adult patients but also collaborate with Inova Fairfax Hospital for Children to treat pediatric patients. As the only health care system in the region equipped to diagnose and treat both adult and pediatric heart patients, our physicians collaborate on treatments and diagnoses that span from neonatal to geriatric care.
Our cardiologists use techniques originally designed for children on those adults who are diagnosed with congenital heart defects such as patent foramen ovale and atrial septal defect.
Patent forament ovale (PFO) is the persistence of the fetal opening between right and left atria, and when not closed, can sometimes lead to stroke. In 15 to 20 percent of the population, this opening never closes completely and may allow blood to pass between the right and left atrium, bypassing the lungs.
An atrial septal defect (ASD) is a larger hole in the atrial wall. For both of these defects, cardiologists use a catheter to insert closure devices that repair the defect. As our physicians continue to use these devices, they will participate in clinical trials to test their effectiveness in adults.
Treating PFOs:
There are two types of surgical PFO repair:
- primary closure - the opening is repaired with sutures alone
- secondary closure - a tissue patch is used to close the opening
Non-surgical treatment
- Cardiac implant
As part of the procedure, you will first undergo a cardiac catheterization. During this test, catheters (hollow flexible tube) will be inserted into the veins in your groins and advanced to your heart. A balloon is placed across the opening to determine the size and location of the hole in your heart. Measurements are taken of the pressure inside your heart chambers. The cardiac catheterization shows your PFO is an appropriate size and in an appropriate location for closure with this device, the cardiologist will position the device to close the hole.
- Adult Congenital Heart Clinic
- Hospital Care
- Medications
- Lifestyle Changes
- Cardioversion
- Ablation
- Angioplasty
- Directional Coronary Athrectomy
- Laser
- Ratoblator®
- Stents
- Valvuloplasty
- Aortic Aneurysm Repair
- Carotid Endarterectomy
- Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery
- Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery
- Cardiac Valve Replacement/Repair
- Transmyocardial Revascularization
- Heart Transplant
- Cryoablation
- Optimzer II
- EECP
- Congenital Defects
