title: Percutaneous closure of patent foramen ovale: pathophysiology, indications, and technique.
abstract: The percutaneous closure of patent forame ovale (PFO) is currently performed in patients with cryptogenic stroke or paradoxical systemic embolism. The availability of new user friendly devices and the increase in knowledge of the pathophysiology, epidemiology, and follow-up of these patients has broadened the indications and drastically reduced the morbidity related to the intervention. This review considers the main pathophysiological and epidemiological features of PFO and discusses the indications and results of the intervention.
authors.affiliation: Catheterization Laboratories, Casa di Cura Poliambulanza, Via Bissolati 57, I-25124 Brescia, Italy.
authors.forename: G B
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Danzi
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sesana
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Capuano
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Baglini
mesh_terms: D006328:Cardiac Catheterization; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation; D006344:Heart Septal Defects, Atrial / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications