The Risk of Paradoxical Embolism (RoPE) Study: Developing risk models for application to ongoing randomized trials of percutaneous patent foramen ovale closure for cryptogenic stroke

: Cryptogenic stroke and its relation to the Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO) is a long-debated topic. Recent clinical trials have unequivocally established the relationship between cryptogenic strokes and paradoxical embolism across the PFO. This slit-like communication exists in everyone before birth, but most often closes shortly after birth. PFO may persist as a narrow channel of communication between the right and left atria in approximately 25-27% of adults. : In this review, we examine the clinical relevance of the PFO with analysis of the latest trials evaluating catheter-based closure of PFO’s for cryptogenic stroke. We also review the current evidence examining the use of antiplatelet medications versus anticoagulants for stroke prevention in those patients with PFO who do not qualify for closure per current guidelines.

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Patent Foramen Ovale Device Closure in a 27 Years Old Young Lady with Cryptogenic Ischaemic Stroke - First Case Report from Bangladesh

Cardiovascular Journal ◽

10.3329/cardio.v13i2.52978 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (2) ◽

pp. 227-234

Author(s):

AQM Reza ◽

Aparajita Karim ◽

Mahmood Hasan Khan ◽

Kazi Atiqur Rahman ◽

Md Aliuzzaman Joarder ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ischaemic Stroke ◽

Patent Foramen Ovale ◽

Incidental Finding ◽

Cryptogenic Stroke ◽

Paradoxical Embolism ◽

Foramen Ovale ◽

Coagulation Therapy ◽

First Case ◽

Treatment Paradigm ◽

Meta Analyses

A patent foramen ovale (PFO) is highly prevalent in patients with strokes of unknown cause or cryptogenic strokes (CSs). It has been remained an unsolved question as to whether a PFO should be closed or not to prevent recurrent strokes in patients diagnosed with cryptogenic stroke (CS). A paradoxical embolism through a PFO is pointed as a leading cause of CS, especially in younger patients with low risk factors for stroke. It also remains an unsolved matter on type of anti-coagulation therapy, which would be better for patients with CS and a PFO. In addition, surgical and transcutaneous closure of a PFO has been proposed for the secondary prevention of stroke in patients with CS with PFO. Several randomized controlled trials have been conducted in recent years to test whether a PFO closure gives a significant benefit in the management of CS. Many investigators believed that a PFO was an incidental finding in patients with CS. However, meta-analyses and more recent specific trials have eliminated several confounding factors and possible biases and have also emphasized the use of a shunt closure over medical therapy in patients with CS. Therefore, these latest studies can possibly change the treatment paradigm in the near future. We are reporting a case of cryptogenic ischaemic stroke in middle cerebral artery territory due to paradoxical embolism through a PFO which was successfully closed with a device solely by a Bangladeshi Consultant & his team first time in Bangladesh. Cardiovasc. j. 2021; 13(2): 227-234

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Abstract WP264: Frequency of Hypercoagulability in Patients With Embolic Stroke of Undetermined Source and Patent Foramen Ovale

Stroke ◽

10.1161/str.51.suppl_1.wp264 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 51 (Suppl_1) ◽

Author(s):

Michael Liu ◽

Srikant Rangaraju ◽

Alexander Duncan ◽

Samir Belagaje ◽

Trina Belair ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Patent Foramen Ovale ◽

Cryptogenic Stroke ◽

Paradoxical Embolism ◽

Embolic Stroke ◽

Composite Outcome ◽

Foramen Ovale ◽

Primary Mechanism ◽

Detailed Evaluation ◽

D Dimer

Introduction: Patent foramen ovale (PFO) is more commonly found in patients with cryptogenic stroke and paradoxical embolism is commonly assumed to be the primary mechanism. Our objective was to determine the frequency of hypercoagulability in cryptogenic stroke patients and PFO. Methods: Consecutive patients with embolic stroke of undetermined source (ESUS) seen at the Emory Clinic from January 1, 2017 to June 30, 2019 who underwent echocardiogram with bubble study and markers of coagulation and hemostatic activation (MOCHA) testing (serum d-dimer, prothrombin fragment 1.2, thrombin-antithrombin complex, fibrin monomer) were included; abnormal MOCHA was defined as ≥ 2 elevated markers. Venous thromboembolism, malignancy, other defined hypercoagulable state, and the composite outcome were assessed at routine follow-up and compared across groups based on PFO status. Results: Of 172 patients (mean age 63 ± 16 years, 60% female), 40 (23%) had a PFO. Compared to the PFO- group, the PFO+ group was younger (p=<0.001), less likely to have hypertension (p<0.001) and diabetes (p=0.011), and had a higher ROPE score (p=0.007) (Table 1). There was no difference in the frequency of abnormal MOCHA between groups and the composite outcome was less frequent in PFO+ versus PFO- patients (p=0.017). In the subgroup of patients <60 years old, there was no difference in the frequency of abnormal MOCHA and the composite outcome. Conclusion: Hypercoagulability as measured by MOCHA was not associated with the presence of PFO in ESUS patients. Based on our results, ESUS patients should undergo a detailed evaluation for alternative causes of stroke other than paradoxical embolism.

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Abstract TMP13: Baseline DWMRI Characteristics In Patients With Cryptogenic Stroke And Patent Foramen Ovale: Results From The Closure I Trial

Stroke ◽

10.1161/str.44.suppl_1.atmp13 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 44 (suppl_1) ◽

Author(s):

Richard Jung ◽

Benny Kim ◽

Joseph Massaro ◽

Anthony J Furlan

Keyword(s):

Patent Foramen Ovale ◽

Cox Regression ◽

Recurrent Stroke ◽

Cryptogenic Stroke ◽

Patient Characteristics ◽

Paradoxical Embolism ◽

Foramen Ovale ◽

Anterior Circulation ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Multivariate Proportional Hazard

Background: Cryptogenic stroke may have several etiologies including paradoxical embolism through a patent foramen ovale (PFO). A cardiac source of embolism may be suggested by multiple infarcts, sometimes hemorrhagic, in different vascular distributions or a cortical wedge shaped infarct. We report the baseline diffusion weighted MRI (DWMRI) characteristics in patients with cryptogenic stroke and a patent foramen ovale (PFO) from the CLOSURE I trial. Methods: CLOSURE I compared device closure versus medical therapy for secondary prevention in patients with cryptogenic TIA or stroke and a PFO. Of 909 patients randomized, 562 patients demonstrated acute infarcts on baseline DWMRI and are included in this analysis. Multivariate proportional hazard Cox regression compared imaging subgroups with remaining randomized patients Results: Single infarcts were found in 62% of patients. Of these, 61% were anterior circulation, 30% posterior, and 8.5% were of uncertain territory. Of the anterior circulation infarcts, 40% were cortical, 36% subcortical, and 24% affected both the cortical and subcortical regions. Of the posterior circulation infarcts, 45% were thalamic or cerebellar. Of 562 patients, 18.5% had a single subcortical lesion <1.5cm in diameter and met the radiological definition of an acute lacunar infarct. Multiple infarcts were found in 38%. Infarcts in a single vascular territory were found in 23%, often in the anterior circulation (66%). Infarcts in multiple vascular territories were found in 15%. Hemorrhagic infarction was present in 9%. Adjusting for patient characteristics, no significant difference in 2 year rate of TIA, stroke or death was found compared to remaining randomized patients. Discussion: The specificity of infarct patterns for embolism in patients with cryptogenic stroke and a PFO is uncertain. We found no significant relationship between lacunar or subcortical infarction and the risk of recurrent TIA or stroke. Baseline infarct patterns on DWMRI in patients with cryptogenic stroke and PFO may not be useful in predicting recurrent stroke risk or determining best prevention therapy.

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Cryptogenic stroke and patent foramen ovale: Clinical clues to paradoxical embolism

Yearbook of Cardiology ◽

10.1016/s0145-4145(09)79510-3 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 2009 ◽

pp. 448-450

Author(s):

M.D. Cheitlin

Keyword(s):

Patent Foramen Ovale ◽

Cryptogenic Stroke ◽

Paradoxical Embolism ◽

Foramen Ovale

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Acute Pulmonary Embolism and Paradoxical Embolism in Patients with Patent Foramen Ovale: to Close or Not to Close…That is the Question!

International Cardiovascular Forum Journal ◽

10.17987/icfj.v11i0.394 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 11 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Marco Zuin ◽

Gianluca Rigatelli

Keyword(s):

Pulmonary Embolism ◽

Patent Foramen Ovale ◽

Acute Pulmonary Embolism ◽

Randomized Trials ◽

Paradoxical Embolism ◽

Foramen Ovale ◽

International Guidelines ◽

Acute Pe

<p>Nowadays, the treatment of patent foramen ovale (PFO) after acute pulmonary embolism (PE) remains matter of speculation. Absence of both randomized trials and recommendations in current international guidelines complicate the decisions making in such patients. In the present manuscript we discuss about the reasons for which PFO should be closed after acute PE.</p>

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Acute Myocardial Infarction Secondary to Paradoxical Embolism

European Journal of Case Reports in Internal Medicine ◽

10.12890/2020_001951 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Abdullah R Alenezi ◽

Muath Alanbaei ◽

Islam Abouelenein

Keyword(s):

Myocardial Infarction ◽

Acute Myocardial Infarction ◽

Coronary Artery ◽

Patent Foramen Ovale ◽

Cryptogenic Stroke ◽

Coronary Event ◽

Paradoxical Embolism ◽

Foramen Ovale ◽

Artery Embolism ◽

Coronary Artery Embolism

Patent foramen ovale is a risk factor for systemic embolic events such as cryptogenic stroke. Far less commonly, patent foramen ovale is associated with non-cerebral systemic embolic events. Paradoxical coronary artery embolism is a rare and underdiagnosed cause of acute myocardial infarction. It should be considered in patients presenting with myocardial infarction and an otherwise low-risk profile for atherosclerotic coronary artery disease. We describe a case of paradoxical coronary artery embolism causing ST elevation myocardial infarction. Echocardiography demonstrated patent foramen ovale with a significant shunt. In addition to the treatment of the acute coronary event, patent foramen ovale closure was performed to prevent recurrent paradoxical embolic events.

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Patent Foramen Ovale and Cryptogenic Stroke: Challenges in Diagnosis and Management

Indonesian Journal of Cardiology ◽

10.30701/ijc.1144 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 42 (3) ◽

Author(s):

Dhanang Ali Yafi ◽

Azmi Azmi

Keyword(s):

Patent Foramen Ovale ◽

Adult Population ◽

Management Strategies ◽

Cryptogenic Stroke ◽

Paradoxical Embolism ◽

Foramen Ovale ◽

Arterial Circulation ◽

Systemic Embolization ◽

The Relationship ◽

Pfo Closure

A patent foramen ovale (PFO) is a common disorder that affects between 20-34% of the adult population. This condition is a benign finding for most people. However, In some the PFO can open widely and enabling paradoxical embolism to transit from venous to arterial circulation, which is associated with stroke and systemic embolization. There are still unclear to date regarding the effectiveness of pharmacological anticoagulant therapy, defined as antithrombin or antiplatelet therapy, which has proven to be more beneficial for patients with PFO and cryptogenic stroke. In addition, surgical and transcutaneous PFO closure has been proposed for secondary prevention of stroke in patients with cryptogenic stroke with PFO. Both catheter-based and surgical modes of closure have been shown to reduce the incidence of subsequent embolism substantially. This review will discuss the evidence regarding the relationship between PFO and cryptogenic stroke and decision making for management strategies.

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