Patent Foramen Ovale: Echocardiographic Detection and Clinical Relevance in Stroke
This article reviews the main clinical aspects of patent foramen ovale (PFO), such as its prevalence in the population, the diagnostic techniques to detect its presence, its role as a risk factor for ischemic stroke of otherwise unexplained origin, and its controversial association with migraine. Some cofactors possibly involved in the association between PFO and stroke are discussed, along with the various therapeutic options to prevent recurrent cerebral ischemic events in stroke patients with a PFO.
PMID: 20152695
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Jacobo Kirsch, MD on March 31st, 2010
Great review, though very echo-centric. Short comment on the use of CT or MR for the detection of PFO would’ve been interesting. Check:
ECG-gated cardiac CT angiography using 64-MDCT for detection of patent foramen ovale.
Williamson EE, Kirsch J, Araoz PA, Edmister WB, Borgeson DD, Glockner JF, Breen JF.
AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2008 Apr;190(4):929-33
PMID: 18356439