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Electrocardiographic findings in patients with cryptogenic ischemic stroke and patent foramen ovale

Robert Belvís1, Rubén Gabriel Leta, Alejandro Martínez-Domeño

  • 1Department of Neurology, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain. 32353rbn@comb.es

Journal of Electrocardiology
|September 12, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Electrocardiogram (ECG) crochetage is not a reliable indicator for identifying patent foramen ovale (PFO) in patients with cryptogenic stroke. Further research is needed to find characteristic ECG patterns for PFO detection.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Neurology

Background:

  • Electrocardiogram (ECG) crochetage is a pattern associated with atrial septal defects.
  • Its prevalence in patients with patent foramen ovale (PFO) remains debated.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate ECG patterns, including crochetage, in patients with cryptogenic stroke and PFO.
  • To determine if specific ECG findings correlate with the presence of PFO.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective enrollment of 104 patients with cryptogenic stroke undergoing right-to-left shunt (RLS) studies.
  • ECG analysis by two blinded cardiologists for crochetage, P wave abnormalities, and right bundle branch block (RBBB).
  • Correlation of ECG findings with PFO detection via transesophageal echocardiography and transcranial Doppler.

Main Results:

  • Patent foramen ovale (PFO) was detected in 40.4% of patients.
  • No statistically significant difference in crochetage or RBBB prevalence was found between patients with and without PFO.
  • P wave abnormalities were more frequent in patients with PFO, and biphasic P waves were associated with smaller RLS.

Conclusions:

  • The study found no characteristic ECG pattern to reliably identify patients with cryptogenic stroke and PFO.
  • Current ECG findings do not serve as a definitive marker for PFO in this patient group.
Abstract

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