Deep vein thrombosis â Perhaps the most important disease not to miss when dealing with legs that have suddenly become swollen. Years after the deep vein thrombosis has subsided and forgotten, post-phlebitic changes can still be a cause for a swollen leg.
1 A patent foramen ovale (PFO) is an opening covered by a flap of tissue in the wall of the heart that separates the two upper chambers or atria. 2  PFOs are very common, more than 20% of all humans have one.3  Estimates range from 20-30% depending on the decade of life. A patent foramen ovale (PFO) is an opening covered by a flap of tissue in the wall of the heart that separates the two upper chambers or atria. 2  PFOs are very common, more than 20% of all humans have one. 3  Estimates range from 20-30% depending on the decade of life.
Definition. A patent foramen ovale (PFO) is a hole in the heart that didn't close the way it should after birth. During fetal development, a small flap-like opening â the foramen ovale (foh-RAY-mun oh-VAY-lee) â is normally present in the wall between the right and left upper chambers of the heart (atria). It normally closes during infancy. When the foramen ovale doesn't close, it's called a patent foramen ovale. Although it's not uncommon to have a patent foramen ovale, most people with the condition never know they have it. A patent foramen ovale is often discovered during tests for other problems.