INTRODUCTION The presence of patent foramen ovale (PFO) is considered a possible cause for cryptogenic stroke. The mechanism underlying the ischaemic neurological events in the presence of PFO has not been firmly established. The purpose of this study was to compare: (1) the mean platelet volume levels in PFO patients with and without a cryptogenic stroke, and (2) pre- and post-procedural mean ...

Cerebral embolization through a PFO is considered to be a possible cause of migraine attack, therefore the size of the PFO and its 'functional potential' should play an important etiological role in migraine. However, this relationship remains complex due to various methodological issues. We have highlighted some of the important issues related to the diagnostic methodology for PFO and the inte...

Perfluoro-N-octane (PFO) is a heavy liquid that is used as an aid for complicated retinal surgical procedures. Although PFO is usually removed intraoperatively, the radiographic appearance of retained PFO may mimic an intraocular foreign body or vitreous hemorrhage. As the use of PFO in retinal procedures has become more widespread, recognition of its imaging appearance has become important in ...

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE To further determine the mechanisms of cryptogenic stroke or transient ischemic attack in young patients, we evaluated indices of atherosclerosis in patients <or=55 years old diagnosed with cryptogenic cerebrovascular event comparing those with patent foramen ovale (PFO) with those without PFO. METHODS This was a prospective study including 100 consecutive patients <or=...

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Patent foramen ovale (PFO) is associated with cryptogenic stroke. There is no study that assessed the effect of age on adverse event rates in cryptogenic stroke patients with PFO. The purpose of this retrospective analysis from PFO in Cryptogenic Stroke Study (PICSS) database was to assess the effect of age on the risk of adverse events in medically treated cryptogenic st...

BACKGROUND The association between patent foramen ovale (PFO) and stroke risk in young adults is controversial and poorly understood. Paradoxical embolization through a PFO represents a possible mechanism by which PFO might predispose to stroke. OBJECTIVE To describe 4 patients with PFO who experienced the onset of ischemic stroke during sexual intercourse. DESIGN Case series. SETTING Ter...

The importance of patent foramen ovale (PFO) has long been discussed in the literature in relation to different coexisting medical conditions. Many researchers focused on the occurrence of PFO in ischemic stroke patients, especially in the subgroup of young patients with a recurrent event. Unfortunately, before establishing a clear significance of PFO and right-to-left shunting (RLS) in pathoge...

The development of percutaneous devices capable of closing atrial septal defects has led to renewed debate about optimal management of patients with patent foramen ovale (PFO). Echocardiography has made diagnosing PFO routine , but in most patients appropriate management, including the role of device closure, remains a matter of speculation. Anatomy and prevalence During infancy, fibrous adhesi...

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Patent foramen ovale (PFO) may play an important role as a risk factor for ischemic stroke and some other neurological conditions. There is a need for low-cost and noninvasive methods for the detection of PFO. This study evaluates the accuracy of two simple bedside tests, the dye dilution method and ear oximetry, in the detection of PFO. METHODS Dye dilution curves and ...

Patent foramen ovale (PFO) is highly prevalent and associated with more than 150,000 strokes per year. Traditionally, it is thought that PFOs facilitate strokes by allowing venous clots to travel directly to the brain. However, only a small portion of PFO stroke patients have a known tendency to form blood clots, and the best treatment for this multiorgan disease is unclear. Therefore, mapping ...