Hospital da Luz Arrábida now applies an innovative technique in cardiology, NobleStitch , for closure of patent foramen ovale, an opening between two of the heart’s chambers, which in some cases does not close naturally after birth, potentiating the occurrence of CVA and transient ischemic accidents. “Compared to conventional treatment by catheterization and placement of metallic devices, NobleStitch, being a percutaneous technique, has the advantage of leaving a single small suture point, with no record of complications (namely arrhythmia). Besides not precluding future heart treatments”, explains Pedro Braga , interventional cardiologist at Hospital da Luz Arrábida. The specialist, whose team (pictured above) has been performing procedures with NobleStitch since early 2025, further adds that this “is a method presenting clear benefits, especially in young patients”. “We have been registering excellent results. The patient is intervened under sedation, not registering complications during and after the procedure, and resuming normal life after 24 hours.” Patent foramen ovale (PFO) is a small communication between two of the heart’s chambers, the right atrium (belonging to the venous circulation) and the left atrium (belonging to the arterial circulation), that remains open after birth, when it should normally close. For unknown reasons, in about 20-25% people the foramen ovale does not close after birth. This condition is described as patent foramen ovale (PFO), allowing the blood flow between the two atriums. In the majority of cases, PFO presents no problem. Rarely, PFO may be associated with pathologic situations potentially devastating, namely cerebral vascular accident (CVA), by allowing the passage of thrombi formed in the venous circulation to the arterial circulation, causing the occlusion of arteries in the brain. Presently it is indicated to treat PFO when the patient suffers a cryptogenic CVA (with no other obvious cause) and is under 65.
