Stroke and patent foramen ovale in young individuals

Abstract

The importance of patent foramen ovale (PFO) has long been discussed in the literature in relation to different coexisting medical conditions. Many researchers focused on the occurrence of PFO in ischemic stroke patients, especially in the subgroup of young patients with a recurrent event. Unfortunately, before establishing a clear significance of PFO and right-to-left shunting (RLS) in pathogenesis of cerebrovascular disorders, multiple interventional trials have been launched, aimed at PFO closure in heterogeneous populations of patients. Moreover, some closure devices were granted at least partial approval by regulatory agencies for this indication. There is a need for large and unbiased epidemiological studies assessing the role of RLS through the PFO in ischemic stroke. All patients with recurrent ischemic events and PFO should be assessed by multidisciplinary teams, including a stroke neurologist, and all potential and rare causes of stroke should be considered before any decision for closure is made. Copyright © 2012 S. Karger AG, Basel.