Patent foramen ovale and cryptogenic stroke.
Strokes are the leading cause of long-term, serious disability. A variety of identifiable risk factors exists for the development of a stroke. Individuals who had no definite and clearly identifiable cause for a stroke experience a cryptogenic stroke. The presence of a patent foramen ovale, a flaplike opening of the atrial septum between the septum primum and secundum, contributes to a 40% to 56% incidence of a cryptogenic stroke. This article reviews the pathophysiology of a patent foramen ovale, the diagnostic tests, and nurse's awareness of the potential etiology of a stroke in a younger individual.
Jaquis
Jeri
J
School of Nursing, University of Texas, Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555-0129, USA. jljaquis@utmb.edu
D017677:Age Distribution; D003422:Critical Care; D017548:Echocardiography, Transesophageal; D019320:Embolism, Paradoxical / Q000209:etiology; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D054092:Foramen Ovale, Patent / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D006266:Health Education; D040361:Healthy People Programs; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D020521:Stroke / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents