PFO devices: do you notice yours?

bendomatic

ok so now htere's a few divers out there that have had their PFO patched up. have you ever found that you can "feel" it in your chest when you dive? i have had a couple of situations(ok three times now) where if i really have to drag on ADV to get gas into loop or my kit isn't sitting where i normally set it then i get an ache under my sternum. the first time was when i first got my SK and the ADV needed oring replacement, after which no problems, once when my gear was sitting too low on my back, needed to just hike up the harness straps that i'd forgotten to do, 3rd time i think is going the same as the first time - its now about a year since i replaced that ADV o-ring. The pain doesn't last after the dive its only at depth when i draw on the ADV. I guess it concerns me because i wouldn't want to think that i am actually doing damage! I found after my surgery i could "feel" the device when i laughed hard for the first couple of months or if i drew my shoulders together making the chest concave, this pain is similar. I had an amplatzer device and it was the largest one (38mm diam?).

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vlada

It's been over 2 yrs since my surgery and i can not feel a thing. I got a larger diameter Amplatzer device as well (28mm or something like that).

Regards,

Vlada

bendomatic

couldn't remember whether 28 or 38, 28mm would make more sense. For me it's 22 months now since the procedure. thanks for your reply.
rachel

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debersole

As a cardiologist who puts these things in, you should not be able to "feel" the device. The sensation is most likely something else that catches your attention as a result of having had the procedure. It's very common for people who have had cardiac procedures to notice things in their chest as they are "hyper-aware" of things after such a procedure.

The PFO device you had was likely a "28mm". The "38mm" device is for larger atrial septal defects (ASD).

Glad to hear your diving again. The advent of percutaneous (nonsurgical) approaches for PFO and ASD has been great for patients.

Doug

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Hootis

I've had my 25mm Amplatzer since Dec 2004. They say you should not be able to feel them, but I think I've felt it a few times...not specifically when I've been diving. It's not really painful, but I'd describe the feeling as "noticable".

Ryan

bendomatic

Thanks doug. This is a most definite ache during diving that i've not experienced before. I'd love to just write it off to being hyper-aware but it was enough to for me to write on my slate that i had chest pains. which in itself is not great! and it wasn't indigestion as i've had that too- teach me to scoff down food right before i gear up. i don't get htis doing any land-based exercise. anyways i hope that if i pay attention to the things that i mentioned i won't need to experience it again. if i do, then it's something else and my gear will be better off for all the attention.

Thanks ryan.

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