scholarly journals Patent Foramen Ovale Implying Paradoxical Embolism as a New Insight in Cryptogenic Stroke

2021 ◽  
Vol 42 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Indah Aprianti Putri

Cerebrovascular thromboembolism is responsible annually for 510.000 ischaemic stroke in the united states alone. PFO mechanism as a paradoxical embolism transit from right to left-sided chambers to intracranial vessels has a tremendous impact in neurological deficits. The aggressive treatment started since 2016 when the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the Amplatzer PFO occluder for recurrent stroke prevention of cryptogenic stroke with PFO. The trials show positive results since 2017 and the collaboration and partnership between neurologist and cardiologist are more needed to build a holistic and comprehensive treatment for cryptogenic stroke patient with PFO. 

VASA ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-40 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lehmeyer ◽  
Lindhoff-Last

Paradoxical emboli have their origin in the low-pressure venous system and can cause ischemic stroke or peripheral arterial embolism through a cardiac or pulmonary shunt. In most cases, a patent foramen ovale (PFO) is found. About 20 % of the population has a patent foramen ovale. This review gives insight into publications concerning the association between the presence of a patent foramen ovale and cryptogenic stroke; the association of PFO, coagulation disorders and stroke; and recurrence rates of stroke in patients with PFO. Diagnostic features are discussed, as are the different therapy modalities, taking existing national and international guidelines into account. Also, our own recommendations are given. In addition some new information on the potential improvement of migraine after PFO closure is discussed. It is widely accepted that the optimal therapy for the prevention of recurrent stroke in patients with PFO and cryptogenic stroke has not yet been found. Randomized, controlled clinical studies are ongoing in the United States and will give even more insight and answer open questions in the future.


Stroke ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 44 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard Jung ◽  
Benny Kim ◽  
Joseph Massaro ◽  
Anthony J Furlan

Background: Cryptogenic stroke may have several etiologies including paradoxical embolism through a patent foramen ovale (PFO). A cardiac source of embolism may be suggested by multiple infarcts, sometimes hemorrhagic, in different vascular distributions or a cortical wedge shaped infarct. We report the baseline diffusion weighted MRI (DWMRI) characteristics in patients with cryptogenic stroke and a patent foramen ovale (PFO) from the CLOSURE I trial. Methods: CLOSURE I compared device closure versus medical therapy for secondary prevention in patients with cryptogenic TIA or stroke and a PFO. Of 909 patients randomized, 562 patients demonstrated acute infarcts on baseline DWMRI and are included in this analysis. Multivariate proportional hazard Cox regression compared imaging subgroups with remaining randomized patients Results: Single infarcts were found in 62% of patients. Of these, 61% were anterior circulation, 30% posterior, and 8.5% were of uncertain territory. Of the anterior circulation infarcts, 40% were cortical, 36% subcortical, and 24% affected both the cortical and subcortical regions. Of the posterior circulation infarcts, 45% were thalamic or cerebellar. Of 562 patients, 18.5% had a single subcortical lesion <1.5cm in diameter and met the radiological definition of an acute lacunar infarct. Multiple infarcts were found in 38%. Infarcts in a single vascular territory were found in 23%, often in the anterior circulation (66%). Infarcts in multiple vascular territories were found in 15%. Hemorrhagic infarction was present in 9%. Adjusting for patient characteristics, no significant difference in 2 year rate of TIA, stroke or death was found compared to remaining randomized patients. Discussion: The specificity of infarct patterns for embolism in patients with cryptogenic stroke and a PFO is uncertain. We found no significant relationship between lacunar or subcortical infarction and the risk of recurrent TIA or stroke. Baseline infarct patterns on DWMRI in patients with cryptogenic stroke and PFO may not be useful in predicting recurrent stroke risk or determining best prevention therapy.


Cardiology ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 143 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 62-72 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Abdelghani ◽  
Sahar A.O. El-Shedoudy ◽  
Martina Nassif ◽  
Berto J. Bouma ◽  
Robbert J. de Winter

Patent foramen ovale (PFO) is a common benign finding in healthy subjects, but its prevalence is higher in patients with stroke of unclear cause (cryptogenic stroke). PFO is believed to be associated with stroke through paradoxical embolism, and certain clinical and anatomical criteria seem to increase the likelihood of a PFO to be pathological. Recent trials have shown that closure of PFO, especially if associated with an atrial septal aneurysm and/or a large interatrial shunt, may reduce the risk of recurrent stroke as compared to medical treatment. However, it remains challenging to risk stratify patients with suspected PFO-related stroke and to decide if device closure is indicated. We sought to review contemporary evidence and to conclude an evidence-based strategy to prevent recurrence of PFO-related stroke.


Author(s):  
Harsha S. Nagarajarao ◽  
Chandra P. Ojha ◽  
Archana Kedar ◽  
Debabrata Mukherjee

: Cryptogenic stroke and its relation to the Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO) is a long-debated topic. Recent clinical trials have unequivocally established the relationship between cryptogenic strokes and paradoxical embolism across the PFO. This slit-like communication exists in everyone before birth, but most often closes shortly after birth. PFO may persist as a narrow channel of communication between the right and left atria in approximately 25-27% of adults. : In this review, we examine the clinical relevance of the PFO with analysis of the latest trials evaluating catheter-based closure of PFO’s for cryptogenic stroke. We also review the current evidence examining the use of antiplatelet medications versus anticoagulants for stroke prevention in those patients with PFO who do not qualify for closure per current guidelines.


Author(s):  
Gianluca Rigatelli ◽  
Marco Zuin ◽  
Fabio Dell'Avvocata ◽  
Luigi Pedon ◽  
Roberto Zecchel ◽  
...  

Background: RoPE score calculator has been proposed to stratify the patients in whom PFO may be considered not a confounding but presumably a causative factor.Objectives To implement the RoPE score calculator.Methods.  We reviewed the medical data of 1040 consecutive patients (mean age 47.3±17.1 years) prospectively enrolled in two centres over a 13 years period for management of PFO in order to select anatomic and functional parameters to be incorporated in a modified RoPE score. A scoring system (AF-RoPE) was build up and applied in a prospective blind fashion to a cohort of  406 consecutive patients (mean age 43.6 ±17. 5 years, 264 females)  with cryptogenic stroke and PFO comparing its performance with the standard RoPE.Results. Multiple stepwise logistic regression analysis demonstrated that right-to-left  (R-L) shunt at rest (OR 5.9), huge ASA (> 20 mm) (OR 3.9), long tunnelized PFO (> 12 mm) (OR 3.5), and massive R-L shunt (grade 5 by TCD) (OR 1.9) conferred the highest risk of recurrent stroke. The AF-RoPE score  resulted in a more precise separation of patients with RoPE score 8-10. Patients with AF-RoPE score > 11 had more stroke recurrences and more diffuse area of stroke on MRI in the medical history than those ranging 10 to 7 or less.Conclusion. The AF-RoPE score discriminates cryptogenic stroke patients who are more likely to develop recurrent stroke compared with a RoPE score between 8-10.  These highest risk patients may be more likely to benefit from PFO closure.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 227-234
Author(s):  
AQM Reza ◽  
Aparajita Karim ◽  
Mahmood Hasan Khan ◽  
Kazi Atiqur Rahman ◽  
Md Aliuzzaman Joarder ◽  
...  

A patent foramen ovale (PFO) is highly prevalent in patients with strokes of unknown cause or cryptogenic strokes (CSs). It has been remained an unsolved question as to whether a PFO should be closed or not to prevent recurrent strokes in patients diagnosed with cryptogenic stroke (CS). A paradoxical embolism through a PFO is pointed as a leading cause of CS, especially in younger patients with low risk factors for stroke. It also remains an unsolved matter on type of anti-coagulation therapy, which would be better for patients with CS and a PFO. In addition, surgical and transcutaneous closure of a PFO has been proposed for the secondary prevention of stroke in patients with CS with PFO. Several randomized controlled trials have been conducted in recent years to test whether a PFO closure gives a significant benefit in the management of CS. Many investigators believed that a PFO was an incidental finding in patients with CS. However, meta-analyses and more recent specific trials have eliminated several confounding factors and possible biases and have also emphasized the use of a shunt closure over medical therapy in patients with CS. Therefore, these latest studies can possibly change the treatment paradigm in the near future. We are reporting a case of cryptogenic ischaemic stroke in middle cerebral artery territory due to paradoxical embolism through a PFO which was successfully closed with a device solely by a Bangladeshi Consultant & his team first time in Bangladesh. Cardiovasc. j. 2021; 13(2): 227-234


Stroke ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 51 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Liu ◽  
Srikant Rangaraju ◽  
Alexander Duncan ◽  
Samir Belagaje ◽  
Trina Belair ◽  
...  

Introduction: Patent foramen ovale (PFO) is more commonly found in patients with cryptogenic stroke and paradoxical embolism is commonly assumed to be the primary mechanism. Our objective was to determine the frequency of hypercoagulability in cryptogenic stroke patients and PFO. Methods: Consecutive patients with embolic stroke of undetermined source (ESUS) seen at the Emory Clinic from January 1, 2017 to June 30, 2019 who underwent echocardiogram with bubble study and markers of coagulation and hemostatic activation (MOCHA) testing (serum d-dimer, prothrombin fragment 1.2, thrombin-antithrombin complex, fibrin monomer) were included; abnormal MOCHA was defined as ≥ 2 elevated markers. Venous thromboembolism, malignancy, other defined hypercoagulable state, and the composite outcome were assessed at routine follow-up and compared across groups based on PFO status. Results: Of 172 patients (mean age 63 ± 16 years, 60% female), 40 (23%) had a PFO. Compared to the PFO- group, the PFO+ group was younger (p=<0.001), less likely to have hypertension (p<0.001) and diabetes (p=0.011), and had a higher ROPE score (p=0.007) (Table 1). There was no difference in the frequency of abnormal MOCHA between groups and the composite outcome was less frequent in PFO+ versus PFO- patients (p=0.017). In the subgroup of patients <60 years old, there was no difference in the frequency of abnormal MOCHA and the composite outcome. Conclusion: Hypercoagulability as measured by MOCHA was not associated with the presence of PFO in ESUS patients. Based on our results, ESUS patients should undergo a detailed evaluation for alternative causes of stroke other than paradoxical embolism.


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