Patent foramen ovale (PFO) is an embryonic defect associated with an increased risk of ischemic stroke.1 PFO closure combined with long-term antiplatelet therapy is recommended to prevent recurrent stroke in selected patients.2
If your patient has had an ischemic stroke of unknown cause and has also been diagnosed with a PFO, it’s important to talk to them about the benefits and risks of available treatment options to reduce their risk of another stroke.
Options that can help prevent recurrent stroke in patients who have had a PFO-associated stroke include closure of the PFO by a percutaneous device, medical therapy with antithrombotic agents, and, in rare cases, a surgical approach.
PFO CLOSURE
Closure of a PFO may prevent paradoxical embolism by preventing a venous thrombus from passing through the PFO and thereby reducing the risk of recurrent stroke. Evidence from the most recent randomized controlled trials now suggests that PFO closure is effective in reducing the risk of recurrent stroke for selected patients who have had a PFO-associated stroke.
For patients who are ≤60 years old, have a PFO, and have experienced an ischemic stroke, PFO closure may be warranted. A critical piece in determining if a patient can benefit from PFO closure is ensuring that a comprehensive stroke workup is completed, concluding that no other evident source of stroke can be found, and the evaluation suggests that the embolism passed through the PFO.
PFO closure is a minimally invasive, catheter-based procedure that involves making a very small skin incision, guided by fluoroscopy and intracardiac echocardiography, and inserting a catheter to guide the PFO occluder through the blood vessels to close the PFO.
SHARED DECISION MAKING
Neurologists and cardiologists should discuss consideration of the PFO closure procedure, including benefits, risks, and alternative treatment options with the patient. The patient should understand the immediate and long-term potential benefits and risks of treatment options to make a well-informed decision that considers their values and preferences.
MONITORING FOR ATRIAL FIBRILLATION PRIOR TO PATENT FORAMEN OVALE CLOSURE AFTER CRYPTOGENIC STROKE
In patients who have suffered a stroke that may be PFO-associated, it is important to screen for atrial fibrillation (AF). Given the lack of clear and specific guidance available on the optimal monitoring modality and duration, an expert panel set out to provide a straightforward and personalized approach to AF detection in these patients.
The new framework provides:
- Specific monitoring timelines and modalities that account for patients with varying age and other AF risk factors
- AF monitoring ranges from 72 hours of a Holter monitor to 3 months of an insertable cardiac monitor (ICM), depending on the patient
Monitoring duration may be reduced based on presence of high-risk PFO features (i.e. large shunt and/or ASA).
MEDICAL TREATMENT
GENERAL MEASURES
Patients with PFO who have an ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA), who have not undergone PFO closure, should be treated with all appropriate risk reduction strategies, most importantly, antithrombotic therapy. Other measures include lifestyle modification (diet and exercise), blood pressure reduction, and statins (if indicated).
ANTITHROMBOTIC THERAPY
For most patients with an embolic-appearing stroke of unknown cause and a PFO who do not have device closure, antithrombotic therapy with antiplatelet agents is recommended.10
Another antithrombic option is anticoagulation. However, recent trials that explored anticoagulation treatment for patients with an Embolic Stroke of Unknown Source (ESUS) were negative.11 Anticoagulation is indicated for most patients with an ischemic stroke of unknown cause and PFO who have evidence of acute deep vein thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism, other venous thromboembolism (VTE), or a hypercoagulable state.
SURGICAL CLOSURE OF PFO
For patients aged ≤60 years who have had an ischemic stroke and have a PFO with no other evident source of stroke and who have a concurrent indication for cardiac surgery, surgical closure of PFO for secondary stroke via standard or minimally invasive techniques for secondary stroke prevention may be an alternative to percutaneous PFO closure.
Most open heart surgeries are performed through an incision across the full length of the breastbone, or sternum. Open heart surgeries require the use of a heart lung machine, which takes over the function of the heart temporarily. Currently, surgery is rarely performed to close a PFO.
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