title: Patent foramen ovale and stroke.
abstract: The presence of a patent foramen ovale has been found to be associated with an increased risk of ischemic stroke of otherwise unknown origin (cryptogenic stroke). The present article will review the evidence regarding this association, the technical aspects of PFO detection, and the preventive options to decrease the risk of recurrent cerebral events.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiology, Columbia University, College of Physicians & Surgeons, 630 West 168th Street, New York, NY 10032, USA. sh23@columbia.edu
authors.forename: Shunichi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Homma
authors.forename: Marco R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Di Tullio
mesh_terms: D054092:Foramen Ovale, Patent / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D012008:Recurrence; D012307:Risk Factors; D020521:Stroke / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control