Successful percutaneous closure of patent foramen ovale seven years after surgical closure

Through advancements in transcatheter technology, a patent foramen ovale (PFO) can now be closed by either a percutaneous or surgical procedure. This report presents a patient who suffered an embolic stroke secondary to a PFO. The PFO was successfully closed surgically, but 7 years later the foramen ovale was found to be widely patent. The patient underwent successful percutaneous PFO closure and the foramen ovale remains closed. This case demonstrates that percutaneous PFO closure may be viable in patients in whom surgical closure has not provided long-term closure.