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.
I had my PFO (Patent Foraman Ovale) closure on Friday (Dec 15th 2006). A PFO is an opening in the heart, which doesn't close completely after birth. The opening, 0.5cm, was allowing unfiltered blood and clots to travel to my eyes and brain, resulting in serious symptoms of haemorrhaging and mini-strokes for many of my 26 years.