title: Cryptogenic Stroke with a Patent Foramen Ovale: Medical Therapy, Percutaneous Intervention, or Surgery.
abstract: More than one third of ischemic strokes have an unidentifiable cause. Patent foramen ovale (PFO) plays a controversial role in this subset of patients. The evidence for and against the hypothesis of paradoxical embolism is reviewed and we discuss the optimal management of a PFO under different circumstances.
authors.affiliation: Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts.
authors.forename: Kareem
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Bedeir
authors.affiliation: Methodist DeBakey Heart and Vascular Center, Houston, Texas.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Volpi
authors.affiliation: Methodist DeBakey Heart and Vascular Center, Houston, Texas.
authors.forename: Basel
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ramlawi
mesh_terms: D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019320:Embolism, Paradoxical / Q000150:complications; D054092:Foramen Ovale, Patent / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012008:Recurrence; D020521:Stroke / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy*; D016306:Vena Cava Filters; D020246:Venous Thrombosis
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors