Morphological study of patent foramen ovale in Sudanese population

The aim of this study is to establish anatomical reference regarding PFO among Sudanese as increasing evidence was found that PFO is culprit in paradoxical emboli events; this led to the reevaluation of this relatively important anomaly. We included 60 apparently normal hearts available in Dissection Rooms in five faculties of medicine in Sudan. The rate of PFO was 7 (11.7%) and the diameter was ranging between 5 mm and 21 mm, with average of 0.87 mm. We conclude that PFO is common among Sudanese and was seen in seven cadavers (11.7%).