DEAR MAYO CLINIC: I recently was hospitalized for something unrelated, but during my treatment, I was given a transesophageal echocardiogram that recorded a hole in my heart. The care team at the hospital where I was being treated said there are no ways to close or repair the hole. Is that true? Or should I seek a second opinion?
ANSWER: Congenital heart defects are the most common birth defect, affecting approximately 1 in every 100 or more babies. Although not all heart issues are identified at birth, a hole in the heart is a common ailment, and there are several types of holes in the heart that could be detected with a transesophageal echocardiogram.
The most common is a small tunnel between the top chambers of the heart, called a patent foramen ovale. This is a structure all humans have that develops in the womb. Normally, it closes after birth; however, for 1 in every 4 people this does not happen, and the tunnel remains open throughout life. In some individuals, a clot may travel from the right side to the left side of the heart, causing neurological problems, such as a stroke. If this occurs, then closure of the patent foramen ovale typically is recommended.
