Patent Foramen Ovale Is Associated with Cryptogenic Stroke, Even in Older Patients

As in younger patients, a conduit for paradoxical embolism is more likely to be present when the cause of stroke is unknown.

Paradoxical embolism via a patent foramen ovale (PFO) is a recognized cause of stroke in patients younger than 55. However, because the prevalence of PFO decreases — and the prevalence of more traditional risk factors for stroke increases — with age, the association of PFO with stroke in older patients is unclear. To examine this issue, investigators studied 503 consecutive patients who were classified as having cryptogenic stroke (45%) or stroke of known cause (55%) and who underwent transesophageal echocardiography at a single hospital in Germany.

Cryptogenic stroke was less common in patients >55 years (39% of 372) than in younger patients (63% of 131). PFO was more prevalent in cryptogenic stroke patients (34%) than in patients with stro…

Reviewing Author

Howard C. Herrmann, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardAffluent Medical; Artedrone; Caranx; Johnson & Johnson; Medtronic; Prolifagen; Wells Fargo

EquityMicrointerventional Devices, Inc.

RoyaltiesUniversity of Pennsylvania

Grant/Research SupportAbbott Vascular; Edwards Lifesciences; Johnson & Johnson; Medtronic

Editorial BoardsCatheterization and Cardiovascular Interventions; Journal of the American College of Cardiology; Circulation: Cardiovascular Interventions; JACC Cardiovascular Interventions; JACC Case Reports; JSCAI

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesHeart Valve Collaboratory (Scientific Committee Member, Chair of the Publications Committee)