Prevalence of patent foramen ovale in young patients with stroke: Role of color-flow echocardiography.
Thirty-five young patients with ischemic stroke were studied via color-flow echocardiography in order to detect patent foramen ovale. The stroke patients were divided into two groups: those with undetermined stroke etiology (Group I) and those with determined stroke etiology (Group II). The prevalence of patent foramen ovale was 67% in Group I and 43% in Group II. Our results suggest that patent foramen ovale is more frequent in stroke patients, especially in patients without defined etiology. We also suggest that paradoxical embolism is more frequent than previously thought.
From the Stroke Clinic, National Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Mexico City, Mexico.
F
F
Barinagarrementeria
From the Stroke Clinic, National Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Mexico City, Mexico.
F
F
Diaz
The Echocardiography Department, National Institute of Cardiology, Mexico City, Mexico.
J
J
Vargas
The Echocardiography Department, National Institute of Cardiology, Mexico City, Mexico.
E
E
Samayoa