So it is nearly two years since I suffered an Ischaemic stroke at the age of 46. Yesterday I was back in hospital for the second attempt to close my PFO and yet again the operation was unsuccessful. I am trying to remain positive but to be honest I am feeling pretty dejected again. I was told it is quite unusual for these operations to not be successful but it’s now happened twice and I am fairly certain I am now at the end of the road and will have to manage my chances solely with meds. Be curious to know if there is anyone out there with similar experiences as I just seem to hear from people who have successfully had their PFO closed.
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@Rufus
Try to remain positive. Have you discussed with the medical team they way forward?
Never give up. Good luck 
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Oh how disappointing for you. Hopefully the drs will discuss what happens now.
Stay strong.
Ann
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Hello Rufus - I am sorry you are feeling dejected following an unsuccessful attempt to close your PFO. I wonder if it might be possible you don’t actually have a PFO?
My reason for thinking is two-fold.
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If you don’t have a PFO it cannot be closed i.e. two failed attempts. Given they told you it is unusual for these operations to be unsuccessful and yours has now been unsuccessful twice.
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In August 2024 they failed to find the hole (because it isn’t there?) and that a PFO was identified as a reason why you may have had a stroke.
From this, I wonder if you are worrying about something that may not be a problem because you have been given incorrect information.
For me, the fact the hole cannot be found and the reason a PFO was suggested as a reason why you may (i.e. it was not categorically stated that your stroke was down to you having a PFO) have had a stroke.
I guess I may not be helping you too much here, but to me there is inconclusive information to support you having a PFO in the first place (it hasn’t been found) and for it being the cause of your stroke.
Somewhere on this forum, there was a discussion on “Why worry?” and the conclusion of that (for me) was worrying will not solve the problem and so there is no point in worrying.
I wish you peace of mind.
I definitely have a PFO - I had a TOE scan after my first attempted PFO which confirmed - but that it was small and for various medical reasons I don’t fully understand ‘complex’. Put simply, it appears that not all PFO’s are the same! I agree with you on the not worrying front, I can’t do anything about it, so I should focus on what I can control, but that’s easier said than done sometimes.
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OK Rufus - I guess it’s as @IreneFC and @Mrs5K say, the doctors and experts will help you find a way forward.
If it is any consolation, and you will almost certainly already know this, according to Dr. Google
“Most people with a PFO never know they have it, and the condition is usually harmless . However, PFOs can raise the risk of stroke, especially in people who are prone to blood clots or who experience pressure changes inside their hearts for various reasons. The larger the PFO, the higher the risk of stroke”
From this, the positives are your PFO is small or even so small that the risk of stroke might be low, though of course you have already had your stroke.
Wishing you all the best.