Stroke or Transient Ischemic Attack in Patients with Transvenous Pacemaker or Defibrillator and Echocardiographically Detected Patent Foramen Ovale.

CONCLUSIONS: In patients with endocardial leads, the presence of a PFO on routine echocardiography is associated with a substantially increased risk of embolic stroke/TIA. This finding suggests a role of screening for PFOs in patients who require CIEDs, if detected, PFO closure, anticoagulation, or non-vascular lead placement may be considered.
PMID: 23946264 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Source: Circulation - August 14, 2013 Category: Cardiology Authors: Desimone CV, Friedman PA, Noheria A, Patel NA, Desimone DC, Bdeir S, Aakre CA, Vaidya VR, Slusser JP, Hodge DO, Ackerman MJ, Rabinstein AA, Asirvatham SJ Tags: Circulation Source Type: research