Cryptogenic Strokes and Patent Foramen Ovales: What ’s The Right Treatment?

More than 25% of all ischemic strokes per year are cryptogenic; that is their cause is not determined after an appropriate evaluation.In 1988 it was reported that the incidence of a patent foramen ovale (PFO) was 30 to 40% in young patients with a cryptogenic stroke compared to 25% in the general population. This led to the suspicion that cryptogenic strokes were due to paradoxical embolism; that is a venous thrombus crossing a patent foramen ovale to enter the left atrium and then the arterial circulation.
Source: The American Journal of Medicine - Category: Journals (General) Authors: Tags: Review Source Type: research