Percutaneous closure of patent foramen ovale: safe and effective but underutilized

With three recently published randomized trials on patent foramen ovale (PFO) closure, the concept of PFO closure to reduce recurrent strokes has been proven; however, PFO closure is currently only considered for secondary prevention. Given the potential devastating consequences of a PFO-related event, we advocate screening for and closure of a PFO for primary prevention in high-risk populations. Such populations include patients who are suffering from a disease that is associated with PFO (e.g., migraine) or patients with high-risk hobbies/professions (e.g., weight-lifters, frequent-flyers, and deep sea divers). Looking at young people with a remaining average life expectancy of 50 years, we have to close 2.4 PFOs to prevent one stroke. This should support a more proactive attitude toward PFO screening and closure.     

Patent foramen ovale and cryptogenic stroke.

Strokes are the leading cause of long-term, serious disability. A variety of identifiable risk factors exists for the development of a stroke. Individuals who had no definite and clearly identifiable cause for a stroke experience a cryptogenic stroke. The presence of a patent foramen ovale, a flaplike opening of the atrial septum between the septum primum and secundum, contributes to a 40% to 56% incidence of a cryptogenic stroke. This article reviews the pathophysiology of a patent foramen ovale, the diagnostic tests, and nurse's awareness of the potential etiology of a stroke in a younger individual.     

Cryptogenic stroke and patent foramen ovale

A stroke of unknown etiology is commonly referred to as cryptogenic and is diagnosed in a considerable patient population of especially young age. Numerous case-control studies revealed a strong and consistent association between cryptogenic stroke and the presence of a patent foramen ovale. This relationship corroborates paradoxical embolism as likely stroke mechanism in this patient population. In approximately twenty-five percent of patients with cryptogenic stroke, the patent foramen ovale is accompanied by an atrial septal aneurysm, which considerably heightens the risk for recurrent neurological events. Therapeutic measures for secondary prevention in this patient population encompass medical treatment with antiplatelet agents or anticoagulants and surgical or percutaneous closure of patent foramen ovale. Currently, randomised clinical studies compare medical treatment with closure of patent foramen ovale to determine the most effective treatment strategy in this patient population.     

Current evidence for closure of a patent foramen ovale for cryptogenic stroke prevention

A patent foramen ovale (PFO) has long been implicated as a potential mechanism for cryptogenic stroke (CS), which accounts for up to 40% of all cases of ischaemic stroke. Although there is a strong association between a PFO and CS, there is less evidence that percutaneous closure of the defect, as opposed to medical therapy with antithrombotics or anticoagulants, is the most effective form of secondary prevention. The aim of this review is to examine the evidence comparing percutaneous closure with medical therapy, with a particular focus on three recently published randomised controlled trials.     

C-TCD与TEE在筛选卵圆孔未闭相关性隐源性卒中中的诊断价值

目的探究经颅多普勒发泡实验(C-TCD)和经食道超声心动图(TEE)在筛查卵圆孔未闭(PFO)相关性隐源性卒中(CS)中的诊断价值。方法收集2018年10月至2019年9月于我院神经内科收治的CS患者105例,均行C-TCD与TEE检查。分析两种方式对PFO的检出情况。结果105例CS患者中,经C-TCD平静呼吸时PFO检出率为35%(阳性37例,阴性68例);经TEE的PFO检出率为42%(阳性44例,阴性61例)。两种方法对PFO的检出率比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。C-TCD行Valsalva动作后的PFO检出率为56%(阳性59例,阴性46例),与TEE的检出率比较,差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论C-TCD与TEE对PFO均有较高的检出率,Valsalva动作可提高检出率,C-TCD可作为临床工作中筛选PFO的首选方法。     

Clinical manifestation and current management of patent foramen ovale

There is increasing interest in the evaluation and treatment of patent foramen ovale, which has been associated with various pathologic conditions, such as cryptogenic stroke, platypnea–orthodeoxia syndrome and migraine. However, optimal treatment of patients with patent foramen ovale has not been established. This article aims to review the clinical manifestation and current therapeutic options for patent foramen ovale.     

Patent foramen ovale and cryptogenic stroke: contemporary evidence and treatment

Introduction: Patent foramen ovale (PFO) is a common anatomical variant in the adult circulation. It is a channel allowing communication between the left and right atria and is a remnant of the foetal circulation. In approximately 25% of the population, this channel persists into adulthood. PFO has been proposed as a potential pathophysiological mechanism for cryptogenic stroke.

Areas covered: This review will examine the contemporary evidence for both the association between cryptogenic stroke and PFO and the management of this condition. The authors hope to provide a comprehensive overview of the current evidence and best practice in relation to PFO closure. In addition, the authors will propose some potential avenues for future research in this controversial area and try to predict how PFOs in cryptogenic stroke will be managed in the near future.

Expert commentary: In carefully selected patients with cryptogenic stroke, PFO closure represents an evidence based treatment option for the prevention of further ischemic neurological events. A multidisciplinary approach is necessary to ensure appropriate patient selection for the procedure. This should include a vascular neurologist/stroke physician and an interventional cardiologist with an interest in PFO closure.     

Percutaneous closure of patent foramen ovale: a case series and literature review

Patent foramen ovale (PFO) is an anatomical variant of the interatrial septum with an overall prevalence of 27% in autopsy studies. PFOs have a potential role in causation of stroke, platypneaorthodeoxia, decompression sickness, right to left shunt and migraine headaches. Data regarding percutaneous closure of PFO in low volume tertiary care centers is lacking. Retrospective review of 14 percutaneous PFO closures done in our facility from March 2005 to August 2006 was performed for efficacy of procedure and safety. All patients received clopidogrel for a period of 3 months, and aspirin and subacute bacterial endocarditis prophylaxis for 6 months. Mean age of the study population was 54 years. Fifty percent (7 of 14) of patients experienced an atrial septal aneurysm and 14% (2 patients) exhibited a hypercoagulable state. The indication for closure in 13 patients was transient ischemic attacks or strokes, while one patient had persistent hypoxia due to a severe right to left shunt at PFO. Patients received either a CardioSEAL or Amplatzer device. Deployment rate was 100%. All patients completed a minimum of 6 months of follow-up, with a mean follow-up time of 14.9 +/- 7.6 months. No immediate or late bleeding complication occurred in any patient. One patient developed paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and one patient developed thrombotic complications at 7 months post-procedure secondary to the progression of her anal carcinoma and subsequently died. Pending the results of the four large randomized trials that are enrolling patients, percutaneous closure of PFO for cryptogenic strokes is an attractive alternative to lifelong anticoagulation with relatively few complications, even in low volume centers. There are many challenges in the management of this subset of patients, the foremost being the selection of a target patient population. Role of PFO in migraines is less clear.     

经胸超声心动图在卵圆孔未闭封堵术中的应用

目的 探讨经胸超声心动图（TFE）在卵圆孔未闭（PFO）封堵术中的应用价值。方法回顾性分析43例PFO患者在封堵术前、术中及术后的TTE图像特征。结果 TTE在术前可清晰显示PFO的大小、形态和分流方向,能帮助介入医师选择合适的封堵器;术中可准确地评价PFO患者封堵器的位置、形态及其与周边的临近结构关系;术后可有效地监控PFO患者预后情况。结论 TTE在PFO封堵术前确诊、术中引导、监护及术后随访均具有重要的作用。     

Paradoxical embolus straddling patent foramen ovale demonstrated by computed tomographic pulmonary angiography

An elderly gentleman presented to the emergency department with a recent history of dyspnoea, collapse and transient neurological symptoms. He was noted to be hypoxic with a significantly elevated D Dimer. A computer tomography pulmonary angiogram demonstrated a large embolus with a further filling defects within the left and the right atria, abutting the inter-atrial septum. Suspicion of a paradoxical pulmonary embolus was raised and the patient subsequently underwent echocardiography which confirmed a patent foramen ovale (PFO). He was commenced on warfarin therapy. In patients with elevated right heart pressure, a PFO can be unmasked and give rise to cerebral emboli. Clinical suspicion should be raised in patients with pulmonary emboli or deep venous thrombosis if there is a concomitant history of focal neurological symptoms.     

Differential diagnosis between patent foramen ovale and pulmonary arteriovenous fistula in two patients with previous cryptogenic stroke caused by presumed paradoxical embolism.

Development of improved devices for interventional closure of atrial septal defect and patent foramen ovale increased the number of adult patients who are being referred for transcatheter closure. We report two cases that were scheduled for patent foramen ovale closure because of a right-to-left atrial shunt detected at contrast transesophageal echocardiography in another institution and that were found to have pulmonary arteriovenous fistulas. Embolization of pulmonary arteriovenous fistulas was carried out successfully by transcatheter technique.     

Transcatheter closure for decompression sickness with a patent foramen ovale: A case report

A patent foramen ovale is one of the predisposing factors of neurotic decompression sickness. Transcatheter closure of a patent foramen ovale is effective in the secondary prevention of decompression sickness associated with intracardiac shunt. The size of the umbrella should not be limited to the diagnosis of a patent foramen ovale or an atrial septal defect but should be determined by the supporting force of the soft margin of the atrial septum. The surgical method of patent foramen ovale closure is the same as that of the closure of an atrial septal defect, but the closure umbrella of a patent foramen ovale is different from that of the closure umbrella of an atrial septal defect. The size of the umbrella of the right atrium is larger than that of the left atrium, and it is better to close the atrial septum.     

卵圆孔未闭介入封堵预防隐源性脑卒中复发

目的 探究卵圆孔未闭(PFO)封堵治疗的安全性、有效性,进一步讨论介入封堵治疗PFO的临床意义。方法 选取2019年1-7月我院行PFO介入封堵术的PFO患者90例,术前所有患者均行经胸超声心动图右心声学造影（cTTE）及经食道超声心动图（TEE）证实为卵圆孔未闭并存在右向左分流。封堵成功即刻予床旁经胸超声心动图（TTE）,观察封堵器及分流情况。术后3个月,行cTTE及颅脑CT。结果 所有患者均成功置入封堵器,即刻经胸超声心动图证实封堵器位置正常,二、三尖瓣功能正常,未见残余分流,均未出现术中、术后并发症。术后随访3个月,58.9%患者头痛症状完全消失,34.4%患者头痛症状明显改善,发作频率较前明显减少,总的有效率为93.3%。术前27例一侧肢体麻木乏力患者中19例术后肢体麻木乏力症状完全消失,8例肢体麻木乏力症状虽未完全消失但较前不同程度缓解;术前8例恶心呕吐患者,术后症状完全消失。术后3个月复查经胸壁超声心动图右心声学造影示阳性率为5.6%（5/90）。术后3个月复查颅脑CT,提示本研究中90例患者均未发现新发梗死灶,再发脑卒中发生率为0%。结论 介入封堵治疗PFO可明显缓解患者临床症状,解除患者痛苦,减少分流量,降低脑卒中的再发风险,是一种安全、有效的治疗方法,对PFO的治疗具有指导意义。     

Migraine,patent foramen ovale and migraine triggers

Little information exists about a causal association between PFO and migraine. Some patients identify Valsalva-provoking activities (VPA) as migraine triggers. Therefore, we speculate about a pathogenic connection. The object of the study is to investigate the prevalence of right-to-left shunt (RLS) in a cohort of patients suffering migraine with aura (MA) and its possible association with migraine attacks triggered by VPA. We investigated the circumstances triggering the migraine attacks, in a consecutive series of 72 MA patients and in a series of migraine without aura age and gender-matched. The presence and extent of RLS was assessed by transcranial Doppler. Massive RLS appeared in 38.9% of MA and in 6.5% of migraine without aura (p<0.001). MA patients identified at least one VPA as headache trigger in 45.8%. A trend was found between these triggering activities and massive RLS, both in MAgroup OR 2.7 [1.02–7.17] and in all migraine patients OR 2.5 [1.01–6.11]. According to our results, patients with migraine who have larger RLS tend to recognize activities that increase the extent of the shunt as a trigger of their migraine attacks.     

中青年隐源性DWI阴性急性缺血性脑卒中合并卵圆孔未闭两例

该文报道2例中青年隐源性弥散加权成像(DWI)阴性急性缺血性脑卒中合并卵圆孔未闭男性患者,均为38岁,急性起病,以轻度神经功能缺损症状就诊,既往无脑血管病危险因素,以左侧肢体功能障碍为主要表现,DWI均阴性,经颅多普勒超声发泡检查和经食管心脏彩色多普勒超声检查发现卵圆孔未闭,其后均接受抗血小板、调脂等治疗,好转出院后随访显示2例均接受了卵圆孔未闭封堵治疗,均痊愈。应通过该2例的诊治过程提高对局灶性神经功能缺损合并卵圆孔未闭的认识,当患者出现局灶性神经功能缺损,即使DWI阴性亦不能排除急性缺血性脑卒中,应积极进行危险因素筛查,尤其是在中青年隐源性患者中,应高度重视卵圆孔未闭的检测及治疗,减少卵圆孔未闭所致的脑卒中及卒中复发。     

To close or not to close: contemporary indications for patent foramen ovale closure

Introduction: Patent foramen ovale (PFO) is a common congenital cardiac abnormality and that has been associated with several disease processes including transient ischemic attacks (TIA), stroke, migraine headaches with aura, decompression sickness, platypnea-orthodeoxia syndrome, and shunt induced cyanosis. Controversy exists regarding closure of PFO as a therapeutic treatment modality for these disease processes. This review addresses the contemporary clinical indications for PFO closure.

Areas covered: We conducted a comprehensive literature search of contemporary research studies focusing on randomized trials and meta-analyses comparing medical therapy and device closure of PFOs for the treatment of PFO associated clinical syndromes. We synthesized this literature into a review addressing indications for PFO closure in stroke, TIA, migraine headaches with aura, decompression sickness, platypnea-orthodeoxia syndrome, and shunt induced cyanosis.

Expert commentary: Because in many PFO associated conditions it can be difficult to determine the degree to which the PFO is a causative factor in the disease process, we recommend a comprehensive diagnostic evaluation to exclude other obvious etiologies of PFO associated conditions before implicating the PFO and proceeding with closure. However in the properly selected patient population there is growing clinical experience and experimental evidence suggesting that closure of PFO is a safe and effective treatment modality.