Anatomical patterns of patent foramen ovale (PFO): do they matter for percutaneous closure?
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to describe and classify the various anatomical pattern of patent foramen ovale (PFO) with transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) and to relate such classification to the selection of PFO closure devices.


METHODS
This study enrolled 216 PFO patients (118 females) mostly with previous cryptogenic stroke or transitory ischemic attack (TIA) who underwent percutaneous closure of PFO with deep sedation under TEE control. Anatomical patterns were classified as follows: simple: PFO characterised by central/superior eccentric shunt or with a valve mechanism (45%); reduse: widely redundant septum primum (22%); ASA: atrial septal aneurysm (11%); EASA: entire atrial septal aneurysm (1.4%); CRIB: cribriform septum primum (9%); tunnel: tunnel between septum primum and secundum >10 mm (11%). Degree of right-to-left shunt, either at basal condition or at Valsalva manoeuvre, was classified as: 1=mild (45%); 2=moderate (42%); 3=severe (13%). Additional right-atrium anatomical features are also described.


RESULTS
Procedure was successful in 100% of the cases. At follow-up recurrent TIA occurred in two patients. Residual shunts were present in 4.9% of the patients after Valsalva manoeuvre. Palpitations were reported in 4%.


CONCLUSIONS
Closing the PFO choosing the device following strict anatomical criteria based on TEE assessment allowed excellent immediate and late results minimizing residual shunts.
Presbitero
P
P
Department of Invasive Cardiology, Humanitas Mirasole Clinic, Rozzano, Milan, Italy.
Lanzone
A M
AM
Albiero
R
R
Lisignoli
V
V
Zavalloni Parenti
D
D
Gasparini
G L
GL
Lodigiani
C
C
Barbaro
C
C
Fappani
A
A
Barberis
G
G
Rossi
M L
ML
Pagnotta
P
P
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D021721:Balloon Occlusion / Q000379:methods; D006328:Cardiac Catheterization / Q000379:methods; D017548:Echocardiography, Transesophageal; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D054092:Foramen Ovale, Patent / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D018615:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color