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.
Patent foramen ovale (PFO) is a hole between the upper chambers of the heart that fails to close after birth. This hole, which allows blood to go around the lungs while in the womb, naturally closes in most infants shortly after being born.But in as many as 1 in 4 individuals, the hole fails to close after birth.atent foramen ovale (PFO) is a hole between the upper chambers of the heart that fails to close after birth. This hole, which allows blood to go around the lungs while in the womb, naturally closes in most infants shortly after being born. But in as many as 1 in 4 individuals, the hole fails to close after birth.