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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 in cerebral infarction

J Serena1, M Jiménez-Nieto, Y Silva

  • 1Department of Neurology and Stroke Research Unit. Institut d'Investigaciò Biomèdica de Girona, Spain.

Current Cardiology Reviews
|August 2, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Patent foramen ovale (PFO) is linked to cryptogenic stroke. This review examines evidence for PFO treatments, including percutaneous closure, to guide management decisions.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Neurology
  • Vascular Medicine

Background:

  • Patent foramen ovale (PFO) is increasingly associated with cryptogenic stroke.
  • Current treatments include antiplatelets, anticoagulation, and PFO closure.
  • Treatment decisions are based on clinical factors and shunt characteristics, but evidence is debated.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze the role of PFO in cryptogenic stroke.
  • To review available evidence for optimal patient management.
  • To provide diagnostic and therapeutic recommendations for PFO-related stroke.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on PFO and cryptogenic stroke.
  • Analysis of clinical risk factors and shunt characteristics.
  • Evaluation of current therapeutic options and their evidence base.

Main Results:

  • A strong association exists between PFO and cryptogenic stroke.
  • Risk stratification involves patient age, hypercoagulability, stroke history, PFO size, shunt magnitude, and atrial septal aneurysm.
  • There is a lack of consensus on optimal treatment, with some approaches lacking clinical evidence.

Conclusions:

  • PFO is a significant factor in cryptogenic stroke etiology.
  • Evidence-based recommendations are needed for PFO management.
  • Further research is required to establish definitive treatment guidelines.

Keywords:
Patent foramen ovalecryptogenic strokeechocardiography.right-to-left shunttranscranial Doppler

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