Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 30, 2026

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

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Published on: December 23, 2022

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Cryptogenic Stroke and Significance of the Patent Foramen Ovale: A Case Series

Issa Pour-Ghaz1, Rashi Krishnan2, William F Pierce1

  • 1Internal Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, USA.

Cureus
|January 17, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Patent foramen ovale is linked to cryptogenic strokes, especially in younger individuals. Closing this heart defect may prevent recurrent stroke episodes in these patients.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Neurology
  • Medical Research

Background:

  • Stroke is a leading global cause of death with significant patient morbidity.
  • Cryptogenic strokes, or strokes of unknown cause, represent a substantial clinical challenge.
  • Patent foramen ovale (PFO), a common structural heart defect, is implicated in cryptogenic stroke etiology.

Observation:

  • This study examines three cases of cryptogenic stroke in patients with patent foramen ovale.
  • The prevalence and significance of PFO in cryptogenic stroke are inversely related to patient age.
  • In younger patients, PFO appears to be a more critical factor in stroke development.

Findings:

  • Patent foramen ovale is a potential cause of cryptogenic stroke, particularly in younger demographics.
  • The data suggests a stronger association between PFO and stroke in younger patient populations.
  • Intervention for PFO may be a key strategy for stroke prevention in susceptible individuals.

Implications:

  • Identifying and treating PFO in younger patients with cryptogenic stroke could significantly reduce recurrence rates.
  • This highlights the importance of cardiac evaluation in the workup of unexplained strokes.
  • Further research into PFO closure efficacy in preventing secondary strokes is warranted.

Keywords:
cryptogenic strokepatent foramen ovalepfopfo closuretransient ischemic attack

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