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Closure of a Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO): An Intervention Sequence
10:52

Closure of a Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO): An Intervention Sequence

Published on: December 23, 2022

Patent foramen ovale: echocardiographic detection and clinical relevance in stroke

Marco R Di Tullio1

  • 1Division of Cardiology, College of Physicians & Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA. md42@columbia.edu

Journal of the American Society of Echocardiography : Official Publication of the American Society of Echocardiography
|February 16, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Patent foramen ovale (PFO) is reviewed for prevalence, diagnosis, and its link to unexplained ischemic stroke and migraine. Therapeutic options for preventing recurrent stroke in PFO patients are also discussed.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Neurology
  • Clinical Medicine

Background:

  • Patent foramen ovale (PFO) is an atrial septal defect present in a significant portion of the adult population.
  • The clinical significance of PFO, particularly its association with cerebrovascular events, remains a subject of ongoing research and debate.
  • Understanding PFO's role in stroke and migraine is crucial for effective patient management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide a comprehensive review of the clinical aspects of patent foramen ovale (PFO).
  • To examine the diagnostic modalities for PFO detection.
  • To discuss the association of PFO with ischemic stroke and migraine, including potential cofactors and therapeutic strategies.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of clinical studies and guidelines concerning patent foramen ovale.
  • Analysis of data on PFO prevalence, diagnostic accuracy of various techniques, and its role in stroke etiology.
  • Synthesis of information on therapeutic interventions for stroke prevention in PFO patients.

Main Results:

  • PFO is a common finding with varying prevalence across populations.
  • Diagnostic techniques include echocardiography and transesophageal echocardiography.
  • PFO is a recognized risk factor for cryptogenic ischemic stroke, with specific cofactors influencing this association.
  • The link between PFO and migraine is controversial and requires further investigation.

Conclusions:

  • Patent foramen ovale is a significant clinical condition with implications for stroke risk.
  • Appropriate diagnostic evaluation is essential for identifying PFO in relevant patient groups.
  • Therapeutic strategies should be individualized for stroke prevention in patients with PFO.

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