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Updated: Jul 9, 2026
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Closure of a Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO): An Intervention Sequence
Published on: December 23, 2022
PFO and stroke: what are the data?
1Department of Neurology, UPMC Stroke Institute, University of Pittsburgh Medical School, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213-2582, USA. lwechsler@stroke.upmc.edu
Cardiology in Review
|December 20, 2007
Summary
Patent foramen ovale (PFO) is common, especially in young stroke patients, possibly due to paradoxical embolization. Current data on PFO
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Neurology
- Medical Devices
Background:
- Patent foramen ovale (PFO) is a common cardiac finding, present in over 25% of the general population.
- PFO is frequently observed in young patients experiencing cryptogenic stroke, suggesting a potential link to paradoxical embolization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current understanding of the association between patent foramen ovale (PFO) and stroke.
- To evaluate the role of PFO characteristics and treatment options in secondary stroke prevention.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing studies and data concerning patent foramen ovale (PFO) and its relationship with stroke.
- Analysis of findings related to medical management (aspirin, warfarin) and endovascular closure for PFO.
Main Results:
- Conflicting data exists regarding the direct association between PFO and stroke.
- Additional risk factors like atrial septal aneurysm and shunt severity require further investigation.
- No significant difference in subsequent stroke rates was observed between aspirin and warfarin treatment for PFO patients.
Conclusions:
- The definitive role of PFO in stroke etiology remains unclear, with insufficient data for firm conclusions.
- Endovascular closure of PFO is feasible but carries periprocedural risks.
- Major randomized trials are currently underway to compare medical management versus endovascular closure for PFO in stroke patients.
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