Pablo Rengifo-Moreno, M.D. and the Broward Health North team that completed first Patent Foramen Ovale closure procedure utilizing the GORE® CARDIOFORM Septal Occluder

This Milestone Marks an Expansion of Advanced Structural Heart Therapies Available to Residents in Broward County

AUGUST 3, 2026 – Broward Health North has successfully completed its first Patent Foramen Ovale closure procedure utilizing the GORE® CARDIOFORM Septal Occluder, marking a significant advancement in the hospital’s cardiovascular care capabilities. The minimally invasive procedure was led by Pablo Rengifo-Moreno, M.D., director of the structural heart disease program at Broward Health.

A patent foramen ovale (PFO) is a small opening between the upper chambers of the heart that normally closes after birth. The condition affects one in four adults, and while most people experience no symptoms, the opening can allow blood clots to travel to the brain and cause a stroke.

The PFO closure procedure is a minimally invasive option that guides a thin catheter through a vein in the leg to the heart where a small device can seal the opening without requiring open-heart surgery. In carefully selected patients, the procedure is highly effective at reducing recurrent stroke risk, with most patients returning to normal activities within a week.

“For patients who have experienced a stroke with no clear cause, PFO closure offers a proven solution to prevent future events,” said Dr. Rengifo. “Now that we can offer this procedure at Broward Health North, our patients no longer need to travel elsewhere to access this life-changing intervention.”

The successful procedure was made possible through the collaborative efforts of a dedicated multidisciplinary team at Broward Health North. This achievement reflects the system’s continued commitment to bringing cutting-edge cardiovascular technology and the latest minimally invasive therapies closer to home.

“Milestones like this are only achieved through the commitment of our entire team focused on delivering exceptional patient care,” said Jenna Merlucci, vice president of heart and vascular services at Broward Health. “Together, we continue to advance cardiovascular care and improve outcomes for the patients we serve.”

For more information about Broward Health’s cardiac resources, visit BrowardHealth.org/Heart.

About Broward Health

Broward Health, founded in 1938 and headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, ranks among the 10 largest public healthcare systems in the United States. Nationally recognized for its focus on high-quality care for the residents of Broward County and beyond, Broward Health boasts four hospitals, two trauma centers, was the county’s first statutory teaching hospital and has an ever-growing graduate medical education program. It includes more than 50 health centers and physician practices covering virtually every healthcare specialty.

Broward Health never stops working toward its mission of Exceptional Care, Extraordinary Compassion and Everyday Excellence. Driven by more than 11,000 talented employees and physicians who deliver care to all patients, regardless of their ability to pay, Broward Health is one of the largest employers in Broward County with an operating budget of over $2 billion and annually provides over $554 million in charity and uncompensated care.

For more information about Broward Health, visit BrowardHealth.org.