PFO Closure in Patients with High-Risk Characteristics

In this randomized study, patent foramen ovale device closure lowered stroke risk in patients with specific PFO morphology.

The benefit of transcatheter patent foramen ovale (PFO) device closure in patients with cryptogenic stroke has been confirmed recently in several randomized trials (NEJM JW Neurol Nov 2017 and N Engl J Med 2017; 377:1011, 1022, and 1033), and one device is FDA approved for this indication. High-risk morphologic PFO characteristics on echocardiography have also been associated with risk for stroke recurrence. To learn more about these characteristics and the value of PFO closure, investigators in South Korea conducted a randomized study enrolling 120 patients with transesophageal echocardiography findings of atrial septal aneurysm, hypermobility (≥10 mm septal excursion), and PFO size ≥2 mm during Valsalva maneuver. Patients received either …

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)