Patent foramen ovale: diagnostic evaluation and the role of device closure

Abstract

Although seemingly benign, the presence of a patent foramen ovale (PFO) may play an important role in the pathophysiology of disease, specifically a paradoxical embolism leading to cryptogenic stroke. The European Society of Cardiology recently published guidelines detailing how PFOs are associated with paradoxical embolism and how they are diagnosed and managed. This review guides physicians in the diagnostic and referral process to a multidisciplinary team involved in PFO closure. It reviews the clinical trials comparing device closure with medical therapy and highlights the current NHS England commissioning process on PFO management. Finally, we give an overview of other conditions where PFO device closure may need to be considered.

Keywords: cardiology; cryptogenic stroke; multidisciplinary team; paradoxical embolism; patent foramen ovale.