Patent foramen ovale closure: historical perspective

The work of the pioneers in PFO closure finally may evolve into a front-line therapy for secondary prevention of stroke in selected patients who have PFO and embolic events. Current implants, although new to most of interventional cardiology and neurology, are the result of years of steady, progressive work. It seems that PFOclosure is here to stay and will become a key element in a collaborative approach between cardiology and neurology in the treatment of embolic stroke. The advances in device technology may make PFO closure sufficiently safe, effective,and durable that it may become one of the most frequent catheter laboratory procedures to be performed.