Скачать или смотреть PFOs 101: Clarifying Some Misconceptions, Robin Czajka, RN & David Dansereau, MSPT

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Robin had a stroke boarding a plane 8 years ago. On her maternal grandfather’s side there were 8 kids, and all eight died of debilitating strokes and all had PFOs like her. She also happens to be a nurse who ran a closure lab for 14 years and consults around the country helping to coordinate neurological, cardiovascular, OT, PT and psychology for the aftercare of stroke patients. And, she monitors the FDA trials of PFO closure devices.
[email protected]
[  / noblestitch  ](  / noblestitch  )
[  / patentforamenovale  ](  / patentforamenovale  )

David is a stroke survivor and the founder of Know-Stroke.org - a community originally established for patients with stroke and PFO (a congenital heart defect). His story was featured in the NY Times. A licensed physical therapist, nutritionist, author and clinical PT consultant, David has a keen interest to explore the intersection of stroke rehabilitation and digital therapeutics to improve patient outcomes.
On the patient advocacy side, as a stroke survivor at age 39, David became a co-founding member and vice president of the patient-led PFO Research Foundation. David is also currently the co-host of the Know Stroke Podcast.
As part of this stroke advocacy journey David serves at the national level as a stroke spokesperson for the American Heart / Stroke Association and is a PCORI Ambassador and a Stroke Patient Stakeholder in clinical research trials at Tuft’s Medical Center and Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. He has also provided patient testimony before the FDA on PFO closure to shape future clinical trials to include the patient perspective and improve the patient voice in healthcare outcomes after stroke.
[email protected]
Linkedin: [  / daviddansereau  ](  / daviddansereau  )
Substack: [https://daviddansereau.substack.com](https://daviddansereau.substack.com)
Body in Balance Book: [https://physicaltherapycoach.com](https://physicaltherapycoach.com)
Web: [https://know-stroke.org](https://know-stroke.org)

The talk, hosted by Ralph Preston, featured Robin Czajka, a nurse and stroke survivor, and David Dancereau, a physical therapist and stroke survivor. Both shared their experiences with patent foramen ovale (PFO), a heart condition that can increase the risk of stroke.

Robin explained that PFO is a congenital condition where a small hole between the heart's chambers fails to close after birth. While it is present in 25-30% of people, only 1% experience complications like strokes. Robin recounted her own stroke nine years ago due to PFO, which was identified after an echocardiogram revealed abnormal blood flow in her heart. Initially unable to undergo traditional closure methods due to a severe nickel allergy, she became one of the first patients in the U.S. to receive the Noble Stitch procedure, a minimally invasive technique using sutures instead of metal implants.

David shared his journey as well, describing how he initially dismissed his stroke symptoms until his wife intervened. Diagnosed with cryptogenic stroke—a stroke with no clear cause—he later learned he had PFO. At age 39, he opted for device closure using an Amplatzer device after medical management with blood thinners proved insufficient for his active lifestyle. Now 18 years post-procedure, David emphasized the importance of individualized treatment decisions based on quality of life.

The speakers discussed diagnostic methods for PFO, including echocardiograms with agitated saline (bubble studies) & transesophageal echocardiograms (TEE), which provide detailed imaging of heart anatomy. Robin stressed the importance of consulting interventional cardiologists—specialists in structural heart conditions—as opposed to general medical cardiologists for accurate diagnosis & treatment recommendations.

Both speakers highlighted that while PFO closure can significantly reduce stroke risk & improve quality of life, not all cases require intervention. They advised patients to weigh risks carefully & seek expert guidance. The session concluded with encouragement for those newly diagnosed with PFO, emphasizing that effective treatments exist & long-term outcomes can be positive.