What Does "PFO With L-R Shunt,mild TR And RVSP:22mmhg" Mean?

Posted on Thu, 9 Jan 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Thu, 9 Jan 2014 Answered on

Wed, 29 Jan 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : Sir my male 13 days baby when new born he suffered with RSD doctors kept him in NICU and given ventilation for 4 days after 2 days oxygen given after 2 days observation doctors disturged.after 2d echo test observed, PFO with L-R shunt,mild TR and RVSP:22mmhg. doctor told not required medication after 3 months review.please explaine any problem for baby.

Answered by Dr. Arun (35 minutes later)

Brief Answer: Dont worry Detailed Answer: Hi Thanks for writing to health care magic. PFO is a normal finding in many newborns. It indicates a persistent communication between right and left atrium , ie heart chamber. It takes time to close after birth anywhere from few hours to few days. In babies with RDS because of increased pressure on the right side of the heart, this PFO takes much longer to close maybe few months . It's better to repeat echo at 6 months of age to see if it has closed. Most of the times it would close. Don't worry. Usually no surgery is required Regards Dr Arun

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Arun (8 hours later)

sir, you are not informed about mild TR and RVSP:22mmhg.RDS was any effect in future, any other tests required my baby, during birth his weight was 3 kg after 13 days his weight is 2.8kgs,what is the precautions we have to take in future.

Answered by Dr. Arun (10 minutes later)

Brief Answer: RDS will not affect future Detailed Answer: Hello, Thanks for writing back. TR and HIGH RVSP - indicated that your baby had RDS. They indicate right ventricular pressure which was increased by RDS as explained in the previous answer. It would have normalised by now. RDS once recovered does not affect heart or lungs in future. There are no special precautions except completing all basic and optional vaccines, giving breast feeds exclusively till 6 months and repeat ECHO after 6 months of age just to confirm if all is well. No additional tests required. Weight is initially lost in first 2 weeks but continue feeding - weight will start increasing soon. Hope this answers your query, please write back if you have further concerns. Wishing your baby good health. Regards Arun

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D