title: PFO Closure for Cryptogenic Stroke.
abstract: A patent foramen ovale (PFO) is a common finding in the general population and has been theorized to be a mechanism for ischemic stroke primarily due to a deep venous thrombus embolizing through the shunt into the arterial circulation. There has been much debate regarding the association between PFO and stroke, especially in the case of a cryptogenic stroke (i.e., stroke of unknown etiology) in a younger patient without other risk factors. Traditionally, when a PFO is detected, antithrombotic therapy to mitigate risk of a future ischemic event has been the mainstay of treatment. More recently, both surgical and transcatheter closure of a PFO have been widely utilized. However, there are only few randomized controlled trials assessing the efficacy of PFO closure for stroke prevention.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurological Sciences, Section of Cerebrovascular Disease, Rush University Medical Center, 1725 W. Harrison St #1121, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA, Sabreena_J_Gillow@rush.edu.
authors.forename: Sabreena J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Gillow
authors.forename: Vivien H
authors.initials: VH
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D054092:Foramen Ovale, Patent / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012307:Risk Factors; D020521:Stroke / Q000209:etiology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome