title: Management of patients with patent foramen ovale and cryptogenic stroke: a collaborative, multidisciplinary, position paper: executive summary.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To organize a common approach on the management of patent foramen ovale (PFO) and cryptogenic stroke that may be shared by different specialists.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  The management of PFO related to cryptogenic stroke is controversial, despite an increase in interventional closure procedures.
  
  
  METHODS
  A consensus statement was developed by approaching Italian national cardiological, neurological, and hematological scientific societies. Task force members were identified by the president and/or the boards of each relevant scientific society or working group, as appropriate. Drafts were outlined by specific task force working groups. To obtain a widespread consensus, these drafts were merged and distributed to the scientific societies for local evaluation and revision by as many experts as possible. The ensuing final draft, merging all the revisions, was reviewed by the task force and finally approved by scientific societies.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Definitions of transient ischemic attack and both symptomatic and asymptomatic cryptogenic strokes were specified. A diagnostic workout was identified for patients with candidate event(s) and patient foramen ovale to define the probable pathogenesis of clinical events and to describe individual PFO characteristics. Further recommendations were provided regarding medical and interventional therapy considering individual risk factors of recurrence. Finally, follow-up evaluation was appraised.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Available data provided the basis for a shared approach to management of cryptogenic ischemic cerebral events and PFO among different Italian scientific societies. Wider international initiatives on the topic are awaited.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Research Centre and Cardiovascular Department, San Filippo Neri Hospital, Roma, Italy. pristipino.c@gmail.com
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pristipino
authors.forename: Gian Paolo
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Anzola
authors.forename: Luigi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ballerini
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bartorelli
authors.forename: Moreno
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cecconi
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Chessa
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Donti
authors.forename: Achille
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gaspardone
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Neri
authors.forename: Eustaquio
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Onorato
authors.forename: Gualtiero
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Palareti
authors.forename: Serena
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rakar
authors.forename: Gianluca
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rigatelli
authors.forename: Gennaro
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Santoro
authors.forename: Danilo
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Toni
authors.forename: Gian Paolo
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Ussia
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Violini
mesh_terms: D002309:Cardiology / Q000592:standards*; D032921:Consensus; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging / Q000592:standards; D054092:Foramen Ovale, Patent / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D033183:Interdisciplinary Communication; D002546:Ischemic Attack, Transient / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D007558:Italy; D009462:Neurology / Q000592:standards*; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000592:standards; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D020521:Stroke / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D009626:Terminology as Topic; D016896:Treatment Outcome