Home Care After Atrial Septal Defect (ASD) or Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO) Closure

You had an ASD or PFO closure on _______ through the right/left femoral vein.

Incision Care

• You may shower 24 hours after the closure. Remove the bandage over the site before taking a shower. 

• Gently clean the site with soap and water. Pat it dry. Cover the site with a band aid. Do this for three days.

• Keep the site clean and dry.

Activities

For the next 5 days:

• Do not sit in a bathtub, hot tub, or go into a swimming pool.

• Do not lift more than 10 pounds.

• Do not strain.

• No vigorous activity.

Diet

• You should be able to eat a normal diet the morning after the procedure. 

• You may eat and drink the night of the procedure if you feel up to it. 

• You may not feel hungry or feel nauseous the first night. This is normal and will get better. We suggest a light diet the first night, if hungry. 

What to Expect

• You may be sore and tender at the site. This may last for one week.

• You may have a small amount of bloody drainage at the site. 

• There may be a bruise at the site. This could take 2-3 weeks to go away.

Pain Control

You may take either Tylenol® every 4-6 hours or Motrin®/ibuprofen every 6-8 hours.

Signs and Symptoms of Infection

• Redness, swelling or drainage at the site.

• Prolonged pain.

• Fever over 101° F for two readings taken 4 hours apart.

Return to Work/School

You may return to work/school on __________________________________.

Medicines

You will need to take baby aspirin every day for the next 6 months or longer. Some patients also take Plavix® (clopidogrel). For the next 6 months, you will need to take antibiotics before certain medical procedures. Your doctor will decide if you need to keep taking these medicines after 6 months.

Keep taking your present medicines as prescribed. Tell your doctor if you have any side effects. Do not stop taking aspirin or Plavix® (clopidogrel) without talking to your cardiologist first. 

Follow-Up 

You will have a follow up cardiology visit with echocardiogram in 1-2 weeks and again in 6 months. We will be check your device and heart function about every 2-3 years routinely.

When to Call

Call for emergency help if:

• You have bleeding or sudden swelling should at the site. Apply direct pressure to the site and call for help. Keep holding pressure until you get help.

• Your leg becomes numb, cold, or turns blue or you have severe pain.

Call the doctor right away if:

• You have any signs of infection.

• You have severe pain.

• You have chest pain, palpitations or increased shortness of breath.

Who to Call

UW/AFCH Pediatric and Adult Congenital Cardiology Clinic

(608) 263-6420

After hours, nights, weekends, and holidays, the paging operator will answer this number. Ask for the pediatric cardiologist on call. Leave your name and phone number with the area code. The doctor will call you back.

The toll-free number is 1-800-323-8942.

If you are a patient receiving care at UnityPoint – Meriter, Swedish American or a health system outside of UW Health, please use the phone numbers provided in your discharge instructions for any questions or concerns.