title: Prognosis after percutaneous closure of patent foramen ovale for paradoxical embolism.
abstract: The long-term risk and risk factors for recurrent embolism after percutaneous closure of patent foramen ovale (PFO) were investigated in 152 consecutive patients with presumed paradoxical embolism. During follow-up, the actuarial freedom from recurrent embolism was 95.1% at 1 year, and 90.6% at 2 and 6 years. A residual shunt after percutaneous PFO closure was a predictor for recurrence (RR 5.3; 95% CI 1.3 to 21.0; p = 0.02). Randomized trials comparing medical treatment with percutaneous PFO closure in the prevention of recurrent embolism are in progress.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, University Hospital Bern, Switzerland.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wahl
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Meier
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Haxel
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nedeltchev
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Arnold
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Eicher
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sturzenegger
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Seiler
authors.forename: H P
authors.initials: HP
authors.lastname: Mattle
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Windecker
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D019320:Embolism, Paradoxical / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006344:Heart Septal Defects, Atrial / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D012008:Recurrence; D012307:Risk Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome