What is a PFO on a TEE?

Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is accepted as the method of choice for the diagnosis of the patent foramen ovale (PFO).

 However, direct anatomic confirmation regarding the presence or absence of a PFO on transesophageal imaging has been obtained in only a limited number of patients.

Definition. Patent foramen ovale (PFO) is a hole between the left and right atria (upper chambers) of the heart. This hole exists in everyone before birth, but most often closes shortly after being born. PFO is what the hole is called when it fails to close naturally after a baby is born.