title: Patent foramen ovale in young stroke patients.
abstract: The prevalence of patent foramen ovale in patients presenting with non-haemorrhagic stroke or transient ischaemic attacks under the age of 40 years was determined by contrast echocardiography. Studies were performed at rest and with a Valsalva manoeuvre in 40 stroke patients and in an age and sex matched control group. Right-to-left shunting was found in 20 (50%) of the stroke patients and 6 (15%) of the controls (p less than 0.001). Paradoxical embolism through a patent foramen ovale may be an under-recognised cause of stroke in young adults.
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D002561:Cerebrovascular Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D004452:Echocardiography; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006344:Heart Septal Defects, Atrial / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014636:Valsalva Maneuver