Editorial commentary: Can a patent foramen ovale explain why migraineurs are at an increased risk for cardiovascular disorders?

Introduction: Interatrial communication is associated with an increased risk of decompression sickness (DCS) in scuba diving. It has been proposed that there would be a decreased risk of DCS after closure of the interatrial communication, i.e., persistent (patent) foramen ovale (PFO). However, the clinical evidence supporting this is limited. Methods: Medical records were reviewed to identify Swedish scuba divers with a history of DCS and catheter closure of an interatrial communication. Thereafter, phone interviews were conducted with questions regarding diving and DCS. All Swedish divers who had had catheter-based PFO-closure because of DCS were followed up, assessing post-closure diving habits and recurrent DCS. Results: Nine divers, all with a PFO, were included. Eight were diving post-closure. These divers had performed 6,835 dives (median 410, range 140–2,200) before closure, and 4,708 dives (median 413, range 11–2,000) after closure. Seven cases with mild and 10 with serious DCS symptoms were reported before the PFO closure. One diver with a small residual shunt suffered serious DCS post-closure; however, that dive was performed with a provocative diving profile. Conclusion: Divers with PFO and DCS continue to dive after PFO closure and this seems to be fairly safe. Our study suggests a conservative diving profile when there is a residual shunt after PFO closure, to prevent recurrent DCS events.

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Efficacy and safety of percutaneous patent foramen ovale closure devices for recurrent stroke: A systemic review and network metaanalysis

Brain Science Advances ◽

10.26599/bsa.2019.9050014 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 5 (3) ◽

pp. 178-188

Author(s):

Hao Nie ◽

Yang Hu ◽

Zhouping Tang

Keyword(s):

Patent Foramen Ovale ◽

Recurrent Stroke ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Vascular Complication ◽

Systemic Review ◽

Occurrence Rate ◽

Cochrane Library ◽

Efficacy And Safety ◽

Foramen Ovale ◽

Increased Risk

Background: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that directly compare the efficacy and safety of percutaneous patent foramen ovale (PFO) closure devices have not been conducted. Thus, we performed a network meta-analysis to identify the efficacy and safety of occluder devices. Methods: From 1st January, 2000 to 1st May, 2018, we searched Embase, PubMed, and Cochrane Library for RCTs about percutaneous closure devices (such as STARFlex, GORE, and Amplatzer) and medical therapy for cryptogenic cerebral ischemic patients with PFO. The occurrence rate of recurrent stroke, atrial fibrillation (AF), major vascular complication (MVC), headache, transient ischemic attack, and bleeding were compared with the frequentist and Bayesian methods using R statistics. Results: We included 3747 patients from six RCTs. The GORE and Amplatzer occluders were found to be significantly associated with a decreased risk of recurrent stroke [relative risk (RR): 0.37 and 0.49; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.17–0.81, 0.29–0.83, respectively]. Moreover, STARFlex was correlated to an increased risk of postoperative AF and MVCs (RR: 11.66 and 7.63; 95% CI: 4.87–21.91, 2.34–24.88). Conclusions: Among the three devices, the GORE and Amplatzer occluders are found to be the most effective in preventing secondary stroke in patients with PFO. Meanwhile, STARFlex is the least recommended device because it cannot decrease the risk of recurrent stroke and is the most likely to cause adverse events.

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INCREASED RISK OF PERIOPERATIVE ISCHEMIC STROKE IN PATIENTS WHO UNDERGO NON-CARDIAC SURGERY WITH PREEXISTING PATENT FORAMEN OVALE

Journal of the American College of Cardiology ◽

10.1016/s0735-1097(19)31230-6 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 73 (9) ◽

pp. 622

Author(s):

Pedro Arturo Villablanca ◽

Alejandro Lemor ◽

Tanush Gupta ◽

Divyanshu Mohananey ◽

Pablo Michel ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cardiac Surgery ◽

Ischemic Stroke ◽

Patent Foramen Ovale ◽

Foramen Ovale ◽

Increased Risk

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Prognostic significance of patent foramen ovale in anticoagulated patients with atrial fibrillation

Open Heart ◽

10.1136/openhrt-2019-001229 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 7 (1) ◽

pp. e001229

Author(s):

Rowlens M Melduni ◽

Waldemar E Wysokinski ◽

Zhenzhen Wang ◽

Bernard J Gersh ◽

Samuel J Asirvatham ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Atrial Fibrillation ◽

Ischaemic Stroke ◽

Patent Foramen Ovale ◽

Cox Regression ◽

Prognostic Significance ◽

Multivariable Analysis ◽

Contrast Study ◽

Foramen Ovale ◽

Obstructive Sleep ◽

Increased Risk

ObjectivePrevious studies have postulated a causal role of patent foramen ovale (PFO) in the aetiology of embolic stroke in the general population. We hypothesised that the presence of concomitant PFO and atrial fibrillation (AF) will add incremental risk of ischaemic stroke to that linked to AF alone.MethodsWe analysed data on 3069 consecutive patients (mean age 69.4±12.2 years; 67.1% men) undergoing transoesophageal echocardiography-guided electrical cardioversion (ECV) for AF between May 2000 and March 2012. PFO was identified by colour Doppler and agitated saline contrast study. All patients were followed up after ECV for first documentation of ischaemic stroke. Outcomes were compared using Cox regression models.ResultsThe prevalence of PFO was 20.0% and the shunt direction was left-to-right in the majority of patients (71.4%). Patients with PFO had a higher frequency of obstructive sleep apnoea (21.7% vs 17.1%, p=0.01) and higher mean peak left atrial appendage emptying velocity (38.3±21.8 vs 36.1±20.4 cm/s; p=0.04) compared with those without PFO. Otherwise, baseline characteristics were similar between groups. During a mean follow-up period of 7.3±4.6 years, 214 patients (7.0%) had ischaemic stroke. Multivariable analysis showed no significant association between PFO and ischaemic stroke (HR, 0.82 (95% CI 0.57 to 1.18)). PFO shunt direction was strongly associated with stroke: HR, 1.91 (95% CI 1.16 to 3.16) for right-to-left shunt and HR, 0.58 (95% CI 0.36 to 0.93) for left-to-right shunt.ConclusionsThe presence of concurrent PFO in this largely anticoagulated group of patients with AF was not associated with increased risk of ischaemic stroke.

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Atrial septal aneurysms in childhood: prevalence, classification, and concurrent abnormalities

Cardiology in the Young ◽

10.1017/s1047951113000607 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 24 (3) ◽

pp. 453-458 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Andreas Giannopoulos ◽

Christoforos Gavras ◽

Stavroula Sarioglou ◽

Fotini Agathagelou ◽

Irene Kassapoglou ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Atrial Septal Defect ◽

Patent Foramen Ovale ◽

Septal Defect ◽

Interatrial Septum ◽

Paediatric Population ◽

Point Of View ◽

Atrial Septal Aneurysm ◽

Foramen Ovale ◽

Increased Risk

AbstractObjectives: This study sought to investigate the prevalence of atrial septal aneurysms in the paediatric population and to define coexisting abnormalities and their incidence. Background: Few papers refer to the prevalence of atrial septal aneurysms in childhood. Methods: We enrolled a total of 4522 children aged more than 12 months who underwent a transthoracic echocardiography. Atrial septal aneurysm was defined as a protrusion of the interatrial septum or part of it >15 mm beyond the plane of the atrial septum or phasic excursion of the interatrial septum during the cardiorespiratory cycle of at least 15 mm in total amplitude and a diameter of the base of the aneurysm of at least 15 mm. Results: Atrial septal aneurysms were found in 47 children (1.04%). They involved almost the entire septum in 14 patients (28.89%) and were limited to the fossa ovalis in 33 (71.11%). An atrial septal aneurysm was an isolated structural defect in 17 (35.56%). In 30 (64.44%) patients, it was associated with interatrial shunting – atrial septal defect and patent foramen ovale. At the echo follow-up after a year, no changes were recorded. Conclusions: Prevalence of atrial septal aneurysms is almost 1%. The most common abnormalities associated are interatrial shunts, that is, a patent foramen ovale and an atrial septal defect. From a medical point of view, it is suggested that no action is to be taken during childhood, as a child with an atrial septal aneurysm is not at increased risk compared with a child without one. Follow-up is scheduled on an individual basis.

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Atrial Fibrillation Following Patent Foramen Ovale Closure

Stroke ◽

10.1161/strokeaha.120.030293 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 52 (5) ◽

pp. 1653-1661

Author(s):

Jessie Ze-Jun Chen ◽

Vincent N. Thijs

Keyword(s):

Atrial Fibrillation ◽

Patent Foramen Ovale ◽

Stroke Risk ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Percutaneous Closure ◽

Foramen Ovale ◽

Stroke Risk Factor ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Pfo Closure

Background and Purpose: Multiple studies evaluated whether patent foramen ovale (PFO) closure reduces the risk of ischemic stroke. One commonly reported complication of PFO closure is the development of atrial fibrillation (AF), which is itself a powerful stroke risk factor that requires specific management. This study aims to evaluate the frequency of AF in patients post-percutaneous closure of PFO and the clinical factors that predict AF detection. Methods: Studies were identified by systematically searching EMBASE and MEDLINE databases on July 11, 2019. Meta-analysis of proportions was performed, assuming a random-effects model. Results: A total of 6 randomized controlled trials and 26 observational studies were included, comprising 3737 and 9126 patients, respectively. After PFO closure, the rate of AF development was 3.7 patients per 100 patient-years of follow-up (95% CI, 2.6–4.9). The risk of AF development is concentrated in the first 45 days post-procedure (27.2 patients per 100 patient-years [95% CI, 20.1–34.81], compared with 1.3 patients per 100 patient-years [95% CI, 0.3–2.7]) after 45 days. Meta-regression by age suggested that studies with older patients reported higher rate of AF ( P =0.001). In medically treated patients, the rate of AF development was 0.1 per 100 patient-years of follow-up (95% CI, 0.0–0.4). Closure of PFO is associated with increased risk of AF compared with medical management (odds ratio, 5.3 [95% CI, 2.5–11.41]; P <0.001). Conclusions: AF is more common in PFO patients who had percutaneous closure compared with those who were medically treated. The risk of AF was higher in the first 45 days post-closure and in studies that included patients with increased age.

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Case fatality rate and fatal bleeding complication in patients with pulmonary embolism and patent foramen ovale

European Heart Journal ◽

10.1093/eurheartj/ehab724.1900 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 42 (Supplement_1) ◽

Author(s):

L Hobohm ◽

V H Schmitt ◽

T Munzel ◽

S V Konstantinides ◽

K Keller

Keyword(s):

Pulmonary Embolism ◽

Patent Foramen Ovale ◽

Right Atrial ◽

Foramen Ovale ◽

Bleeding Events ◽

Systemic Thrombolysis ◽

Federal States ◽

Intracerebral Bleeding ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Acute Pe

Abstract Objectives In patients with acute pulmonary embolism (PE), right atrial pressure is elevated, which increases risk for right-to-left shunt when patent foramen ovale (PFO) is present and thus potentially increases risk for paradoxical embolism. Little is known about the clinical outcome of patients with PE and concomitant PFO. Methods We analysed data on patient characteristics, treatments and in-hospital outcomes for all PE patients (ICD-code I26) with concomitant presence of PFO in Germany 2005–2018 (source: Research Data Center (RDC) of the Federal Statistical Office and the Statistical Offices of the federal states, DRG Statistics 2005–2018, and own calculations). Results Between January 2005 and December 2018, 1,174,235 patients with acute PE (53.5% females) were included in this analysis; of those, 5,486 (0.5%) had a concomitant diagnosis of PFO. Trends analysis demonstrating an increasing frequency of diagnosed PE with additional PFO from 2005 (n=299) to 2018 (n=556; p<0.001). While patients with PE and PFO presented more often with signs of haemodynamic compromise such RV dysfunction (37.6% vs. 28.5%) or shock (7.1% vs. 3.9%) as well as paradox arterial emboli (47.8% vs. 3.2%) or intracerebral bleeding (3.3% vs. 0.6%), PE patients with PFO died less often compared to PE patients without PFO (11.1% vs. 15.8%). Patients with PE and PFO were younger (65 [IQR 52–75] vs. 72 [60–80]; P<0.001) and were more often treated invasively with a reperfusion treatment approach like embolectomy (10.2% vs. 4.2%) or systemic thrombolysis (5.0% vs 0.1%). A multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed a 27.6-fold increased risk for paradox arterial emboli (OR, 27.6 [95% CI 26.1–29.1]; p<0.001) and a 3.9-fold increased risk for intracerebral bleeding events (OR, 3.9 [95% CI 3.3–4.54]; p<0.001) for patients with PE and concomitant PFO. In normotensive patients with RVD and PFO, embolectomy were not associated to affect the rate of intracerebral bleeding events (OR, 0.8 [95% CI 0.2–2.6]; p=0.720) compared to conventional non-reperfusion treatment; instead of systemic thrombolysis, which is associated with a higher risk of intracerebral bleeding (OR, 3.5 [95% CI 1.8–6.59]; p<0.001) compared to conventional non-reperfusion treatment. Conclusion Patients with acute PE and the concomitant presence of PFO are associated with a high risk for paradox arterial emboli and intracranial bleeding events. Especially in normotensive patients, the use of systemic thrombolysis should be considered with cautious. Thus, our findings may improve the clinical management of patients with PE and PFO. FUNDunding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None.

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Closure of patent foramen ovale in “cryptogenic” stroke: Has the story come to an end?

International Journal of Stroke ◽

10.1177/1747493017751243 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 13 (3) ◽

pp. 240-242 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Jean-Louis Mas ◽

Gilles Chatellier

Keyword(s):

Antiplatelet Therapy ◽

Patent Foramen Ovale ◽

Oral Anticoagulants ◽

Cryptogenic Stroke ◽

Stroke Recurrence ◽

Foramen Ovale ◽

Permanent Disability ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Procedural Complications

Contrasting with three randomized trials that failed to show any superiority of patent foramen ovale closure over antithrombotic therapy, two trials recently reported lower rates of stroke recurrence among patients assigned to patent foramen ovale closure than among those assigned to antiplatelet therapy. In addition, one of the initially negative trials concluded in favor of patent foramen ovale closure after an extended follow-up period. A better selection of patients, the use of reference treatment groups that included patients who received antiplatelet therapy alone (rather than antiplatelet drugs or oral anticoagulants, according to physician preference), and a longer follow-up of patients, may explain the divergent findings across studies. Procedural complications were reported in 1.5% to 5.9% of the patients, none of which led to permanent disability or death. Patent foramen ovale closure was associated with an increased risk of new-onset atrial fibrillation in several studies and of venous thromboembolism in one study.

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Recurrence Risk in Patients with Cryptogenic Stroke, Patent Foramen Ovale, and Thrombophilia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Thrombosis and Haemostasis ◽

10.1055/s-0039-1693739 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 119 (11) ◽

pp. 1839-1848 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Claus V. B. Hviid ◽

Claus Ziegler Simonsen ◽

Anne-Mette Hvas

Keyword(s):

Anticoagulant Therapy ◽

Patent Foramen Ovale ◽

Cryptogenic Stroke ◽

Preventive Strategy ◽

Foramen Ovale ◽

Antithrombotic Treatment ◽

Risk Of Recurrence ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Acquired Thrombophilia ◽

Pfo Closure

Objective A patent foramen ovale (PFO) is frequently associated with cryptogenic stroke in the young. Endovascular closure is superior to antithrombotic treatment in prevention of recurrence, but in the presence of a concomitant thrombophilia, the best preventive strategy is unknown. This review investigates if thrombophilia increases the risk of recurrence in patients with cryptogenic stroke and PFO and attempts to evaluate the best antithrombotic strategy after PFO closure in these patients. Methods Medline, Embase, and Web of Science were searched until April 2018. Study quality was assessed by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute Quality assessment tool. Odds ratio (OR) and hazard ratio for recurrence were pooled in a random effect model stratified by secondary preventive strategy. Results Eleven studies were included. Inherited or acquired thrombophilia was associated with an increased risk of recurrence (OR = 2.41, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.44–4.06). Looking only at patients treated with PFO closure, the risk of recurrence just lost significance (OR = 2.07, 95% CI: 0.95–4.48). The antithrombotic treatment after PFO closure was heterogeneous and recurrent events occurred in patients with both inherited and acquired thrombophilia treated by antiplatelet as well as anticoagulant therapy. Conclusion Thrombophilia is associated with an increased risk of recurrence in patients with PFO and cryptogenic stroke, which may persist after PFO closure. This suggests a need for antithrombotic therapy after PFO closure. Study heterogeneity precludes strong conclusions on antithrombotic treatment, but life-long antiplatelet therapy to patients without preexisting indication for anticoagulant therapy seems reasonable.

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