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Tuesday 17 February 2015

PFO Research Foundation website launch

pfofoundation.org

New Australian based research foundation formed to investigate 'hole in heart'

Foundation Director - Dr Ross Sharpe


The PFO Research Foundation Ltd was formed late 2014 and we now have a new website up and running at pfofoundation.org. We are in the final stages of getting approval for charity status and hope to update you soon. This will allow us to offer tax deductible donations to Australian residents and companies. This is a not for profit organisation.

The website will evolve over time and we are looking for volunteers to help with the website, facebook and fundraising. Please contact us via the website or admin@pfofoundation.org if you can offer assistance.

The mission of the PFO Foundation is to increase public and physician awareness of the medical condition called patent foramen ovale (PFO) or “hole in the heart” and its importance to cardiovascular and neurological health.  To accomplish its mission, the Foundation has assembled a leadership team of physicians, researchers, philanthropists and entrepreneurs who are committed to supporting research and education on PFO and its links to symptoms and diseases ranging from migraines with aura to deadly mid-life strokes.  


The Foundation will leverage the strengths of world-class universities, medical centers and clinics to develop next-generation diagnostics, treatments and cures for PFO-related diseases.  The Foundation will also encourage the use of “big data” (i.e., publicly available datasets), cutting edge “omic” technologies and new translational research approaches like Team Science to propel the field of PFO research and treatment into the 21st century.

In this way, the Foundation will answer those questions and concerns about PFO that have baffled physician and patient alike for decades.   The Foundation’s vision is for long, happy and healthy lives for the 1.5 billion individuals who may be at risk for a PFO-related disease.

Saturday 14 February 2015

PFO Clinics Australia launch in Sydney - New website pfoclinics.com



PFO Clinics Logo

First dedicated PFO assessment and treatment Clinic in Australia opens in Sydney.


Due to popular demand from our patients Dr Sharpe and associates have established PFO Clinics as the first dedicated PFO assessment and treatment clinic in Australia.

As you know we have been assessing and successfully treating patients with PFO (patent foramen ovale) for over 6 years throughout Northern NSW and Queensland. Patients already travel from overseas and interstate to access our services so now will be moving closer to you. 

Starting in Sydney mid March 2015 (Brisbane and Melbourne Clinics will follow).

PFO Clinics is at the cutting edge of assessment, treatment and research of PFO related conditions and diseases such as Stroke, migraine, decompression illness, and severe breathlessness and fatigue.

If you have friends or relatives who you think may benefit from seeing us, please share this or refer them to pfoclinics.com

Online bookings in Sydney, Newcastle and Gold Coast available now. Brisbane and Melbourne coming soon...

Patent Foramen Ovale  (hole in the heart)?

A patent foramen ovale (PFO) is a small flap like structure that permits flow from the right to the left side of the heart whilst the fetus is in the womb. It is a dynamic three dimensional structure. As a fetus is using the placenta and mother for oxygenation and nutrition, the majority of blood flow is redirected away from the lungs through this flap.

 Of the 25%, a small number of people develop problems from the crossing over (shunting) of blood from the right atrium directly to the left atrium. Problems arise because the blood in the right side of the heart has been returned from all parts of the body. It is low in oxygen, high in  carbon dioxide, it may have partially degraded blood cells (red blood cell, platelets, white blood cells), blood clots, other by products or proteins present that are potentially harmful if recirculated in the body.

The vast majority of people with a PFO go on to live long and healthy lives and others suffer from stroke, debilitating migraine, fatigue, poor oxygen perfusion and in the case of scuba diving may even go on to suffer from decompression illness.

Visit pfoclinics.com and take the simple online quiz to see if you symptoms may be related to a hole in the heart.