Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 5, 2026

Modeling Posthemorrhagic Hydrocephalus of Prematurity in Rats
04:12

Modeling Posthemorrhagic Hydrocephalus of Prematurity in Rats

Published on: March 28, 2025

Intracardiac shunting and stroke in children: a systematic review

Michael M Dowling1, Catherine M Ikemba

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA. Michael.Dowling@utsouthwestern.edu

Journal of Child Neurology
|January 8, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Intracardiac shunts like patent foramen ovale are linked to stroke in children, but research is limited. More controlled studies are needed to understand their role and optimal treatment for pediatric stroke.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Neurology
  • Cardiovascular Research
  • Stroke Etiology

Background:

  • Intracardiac shunts, including patent foramen ovale, are known stroke risk factors in adults due to paradoxical embolization.
  • Pediatric stroke has different risk factors compared to adults, necessitating specific research into intracardiac shunting's role.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review existing literature on intracardiac shunting and stroke in children.
  • To identify detection methods, prevalence, associated conditions, and treatments for intracardiac shunts in pediatric stroke cases.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic literature search using PubMed with keywords related to intracardiac shunting and pediatric stroke.
  • Inclusion of articles identified through citations and reviews.

Main Results:

  • Limited studies exist on intracardiac shunting in pediatric stroke; no controlled studies were found.
  • Detection methods for intracardiac shunts vary, with a lower prevalence of echocardiographically detectable shunts compared to adult and autopsy data.
  • The precise role of intracardiac shunting in pediatric stroke remains unclear, and optimal treatment strategies are undetermined.

Conclusions:

  • Controlled studies utilizing standardized detection methods are essential to define the role of intracardiac shunting in pediatric stroke.
  • Stratification by additional risk factors for paradoxical embolization is crucial for future research in this area.

More Related Videos

Transient Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion Model of Neonatal Stroke in P10 Rats07:56

Transient Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion Model of Neonatal Stroke in P10 Rats

Published on: April 21, 2017

Related Concept Videos

Hemorrhagic Stroke ll: Pathophysiology01:29

Hemorrhagic Stroke ll: Pathophysiology

A hemorrhagic stroke develops when a cerebral blood vessel ruptures, allowing blood to escape into the surrounding brain tissue, as in intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), or into the subarachnoid space, as in subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Because the skull is a rigid compartment, the sudden presence of extravascular blood rapidly increases intracranial pressure and compresses adjacent neural structures, leading to immediate tissue injury and impaired cerebral perfusion.Mass Effect and Primary...
Ischemic Stroke ll: Pathophysiology01:15

Ischemic Stroke ll: Pathophysiology

An ischemic stroke occurs when a cerebral blood vessel becomes obstructed, most often by a thrombus or embolus, interrupting the delivery of oxygen and glucose to brain tissue. Because neurons rely on continuous aerobic metabolism, energy failure begins within minutes of reduced perfusion. The region receiving the least blood flow becomes the infarct core, an area of irreversible cellular death. Surrounding this core lies the penumbra, a zone of hypoperfused but still viable tissue that is...
Stroke: Introduction and Types01:29

Stroke: Introduction and Types

A stroke is an acute neurological event caused by the sudden disruption of cerebral blood flow, leading to rapid loss of neuronal function. Neurons depend on continuous oxygen and glucose supply, so even brief interruptions can cause irreversible injury within minutes. Strokes are classified into ischemic and hemorrhagic types.Ischemic StrokeIschemic strokes are most common and occur due to arterial occlusion, depriving brain tissue of oxygen and nutrients. This leads to energy failure, ionic...
Ischemic Stroke l: Introduction01:15

Ischemic Stroke l: Introduction

Ischemic stroke is an acute cerebrovascular condition in which blood flow to a brain region is suddenly interrupted, leading to tissue infarction. Neurons depend on continuous oxygen and glucose supply, so even brief reductions in perfusion cause energy failure, ionic imbalance, and irreversible injury. Ischemic strokes are classified into thrombotic and embolic types based on their underlying mechanisms.Thrombotic MechanismsThrombotic stroke develops when a clot forms within a cerebral artery.
Hemorrhagic Stroke l: Introduction01:17

Hemorrhagic Stroke l: Introduction

A hemorrhagic stroke is an acute neurological event that occurs when a weakened cerebral blood vessel ruptures, allowing blood to accumulate within or around the brain. The sudden release of blood forms a focal hematoma that increases intracranial pressure, displaces neural tissue, and can obstruct cerebrospinal fluid pathways. These effects may be compounded by intraventricular extension of the hemorrhage, cerebral edema, or compression of adjacent structures, all of which contribute to...
Regulation of Stroke Volume01:27

Regulation of Stroke Volume

The regulation of stroke volume, which is the amount of blood the heart pumps out during each heartbeat, is critical for maintaining a healthy circulatory system. Stroke volume is influenced by three main factors: preload, contractility, and afterload.
Preload refers to the degree of stretch on the heart before it contracts. It's analogous to the stretching of a rubber band; the more it's stretched, the more forcefully it snaps back. This concept is encapsulated in the Frank-Starling law of the...