Patent foramen ovale (PFO) is a risk factor for transient ischemic attack (TIA) or ischemic stroke. In this study we investigated short and long-term safety and efficacy of percutaneous closure of PFO in secondary stroke prevention.
Methods and results: We implanted PFO-closure devices in 8 patients (3 men and 5 women) after TIA or ischemic stroke (mean age 38 +/- 15.2). The implantation procedures were performed in general anesthesia, under transoesophageal echocardiography and fluoroscopy. No periprocedural complications were observed. Post-procedural shunts were not observed either. All patients did not experience any TIA or stroke during follow-up (5 patients completed a 1-year period). Only in one patient transient ventricular extrasystolia was observed 1 month after device implantation.
Conclusions: Percutaneous PFO closure seems to be a safe and effective technique in prevention of recurrent stroke.