Isquemia intestinal, una manifestación inusual de la embolia paradójica. Un reporte de caso / Intestinal ischaemia as a rare manifestation of a paradoxical embolism. A case report

Introducción. La embolia paradójica es un evento trombótico originado en la circulación venosa, que se manifiesta como embolismo arterial por medio de un defecto anatómico a nivel cardíaco o pulmonar. Se asocia principalmente a eventos cerebrovasculares, aunque se han encontrado casos de infarto agudo de miocardio, infarto renal y otros eventos isquémicos. Caso clínico. Paciente de 47 años, quien consultó por cuadro de dolor abdominal, que requirió manejo quirúrgico de urgencia, donde identificaron isquemia intestinal importante. Los estudios adicionales hallaron déficit de proteína S y persistencia de foramen oval permeable. Resultados. La presencia de trombosis arterial se conoce como trombosis de sitios inusuales y requiere de estudios para descartar trombofilias asociadas u otros estados protrombóticos. El déficit de proteína S es una trombofilia infrecuente, la cual se asocia en la vida adulta a eventos trombóticos de origen venoso. En presencia de defectos anatómicos, como un foramen oval permeable, puede progresar a embolia arterial, configurando un cuadro de embolismo paradójico. La estratificación de estos pacientes requiere imágenes que demuestran el defecto mencionado, así como el posible origen de los émbolos. El manejo se basa en anticoagulación plena, manejo de soporte, resolver las manifestaciones trombóticas existentes y un cierre temprano del defecto anatómico. Conclusiones. El embolismo paradójico debe sospecharse en caso de trombosis de sitios inusuales. Requiere de un estudio exhaustivo con imágenes y su manejo debe basarse en anticoagulación y cierre del defecto.

Introduction. Paradoxical embolism is a thrombotic event originating in the venous circulation, which manifests as arterial embolism through an anatomical cardiac or pulmonary defect. It is mainly associated with stroke, also presenting as acute myocardial infarction, renal infarction, and other ischemic events. Clinical case. A 47-year-old patient was admitted due to abdominal pain, which required emergency surgical management, finding significant intestinal ischemia. Additional studies found protein S deficiency and evidence of a patent foramen ovale. Discussion. Arterial thrombosis is known as unusual thrombosis; this situation requires to rule out associated thrombophilia or other prothrombotic diseases. Protein S deficiency is a rare thrombophilia, which in adults causes venous thrombosis. In the presence of anatomical defects, such as a patent foramen ovale, it can progress to arterial embolism, presenting a picture of paradoxical embolism. The study work of these patients requires imaging that demonstrates the aforementioned defect, as well as the possible origin of the emboli. Management is based on full anticoagulation, treatment of existing thrombotic manifestations, and management of the anatomical defect. Conclusions. Paradoxical embolism should be suspected in case of unusual thrombosis. It requires exhaustive studies based on imaging, and management should consist of anticoagulation and closure of the defect.

Angle Evaluation of Possible Routes that Can Be Used to Reach the Foramen Ovale in the Anterior Approach / Evaluación Angular de Posibles Rutas que se Pueden Utilizar para Alcanzar el Foramen Oval en el Abordaje Anterior

SUMMARY: For the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia, the foramen ovale is reached by entering the cheek with a needle. Thermocoagulation is performed with balloon compression, administration of alcohol or radiofrequency. Apart from the classical method, it is theoretically possible to reach the foramen ovale through the mouth with the anterior approach. In our study, it was aimed to examine horizontally and vertically the angular values that must be given to the needle to reach the foramen ovale in the anterior approach. Three landmark points were determined on both right and left sides of 25 dry skulls. A rod was inserted starting from these landmark points and passing through the center of the foramen ovale. The vertical and horizontal angular values of this bar were measured. For each foramen ovale, 3 vertical angles, 3 horizontal angles and 4 distance measurements were made. There was a significant difference between the right and left sides in terms of horizontal angular values. Average values of horizontal angles (in degrees); on the right, 7.29 for H1, 12.15 for H2, 32.29 for H3; 1.26 for H1, 9.46 for H2, and 30.56 for H3 on the left side (p<0.005). The angle value was measured as 0 or negative value in 5 (20 %) of the H1 angle measurements made on the right side and 14 (56 %) on the left side. The H2 angle value was found to be smaller than the H1 angle in the skull 2 (8 %) on the right and 3 (12 %) on the left. There was no difference between the right and left sides in terms of vertical angular values. A significant difference was found between the right and left sides in the D1, D2, D4 distances (p<0.005). Six important anatomical features affecting angular values were encountered.

Para el tratamiento de la neuralgia del trigémino, se alcanza el foramen oval introduciendo una aguja en la mejilla. La termocoagulación se realiza con compresión con balón, administración de alcohol o radiofrecuencia. Aparte del método clásico, en teoría es posible alcanzar el foramen oval a través de la cavidad oral mediante el abordaje anterior. En nuestro estudio se tuvo como objetivo examinar horizontal y verticalmente los valores angulares que se deben dar a la aguja para alcanzar el foramen oval en el abordaje anterior. Se determinaron tres puntos de referencia en los lados derecho e izquierdo de 25 cráneos secos. Se insertó una varilla comenzando desde estos puntos de referencia y pasando por el centro del foramen oval. Se midieron los valores angulares verticales y horizontales de esta barra. Para cada foramen oval se realizaron mediciones de 3 ángulos verticales, 3 ángulos horizontales y 4 distancias. Hubo una diferencia significativa entre los lados derecho e izquierdo en términos de valores angulares horizontales. Valores medios de ángulos horizontales (en grados); a la derecha, 7,29 para H1, 12,15 para H2, 32,29 para H3; 1,26 para H1, 9,46 para H2 y 30,56 para H3 en el lado izquierdo (p<0,005). El valor del ángulo se midió como 0 o valor negativo en 5 (20 %) de las mediciones del ángulo H1 realizadas en el lado derecho y 14 (56 %) en el lado izquierdo. Se encontró que el valor del ángulo H2 era menor que el ángulo H1 en el cráneo 2 (8 %) a la derecha y 3 (12 %) a la izquierda. No hubo diferencia entre los lados derecho e izquierdo en términos de valores angulares verticales. Se encontró diferencia significativa entre el lado derecho e izquierdo en las distancias D1, D2, D4 (p<0,005). Se encontraron seis características anatómicas importantes que afectan los valores angulares.

Cardiogenic shock due to pulmonary thromboembolism: the role of surgical thrombectomy / Shock cardiogénico debido a tromboembolismo pulmonar: el papel de trombectomía quirúrgica

Abstract A 53-year-old male patient with history of repaired hernia, who is admitted for 5 days of progressive dyspnea with diagnosis of abdominal sepsis, a computed tomography angiography was made, revealing pulmonary embolism in bilateral main pulmonary artery, and cardiac thrombectomy was performed.

Resumen Paciente masculino de 53 años de edad con historial de reparación de hernia, quien fue ingresado por presentar 5 días de disnea progresiva con diagnóstico de sepsis abdominal, se le realizó una angiografía por tomografía computada, revelando embolismo bilateral arteria pulmonar principal, se realizó una trombectomía cardíaca.

Clinical outcomes and complications following percutaneous closure of patent foramen ovale

Introduction: patent foramen ovale (PFO) has been associated with systemic embolic events, and evidence in favor of its closure is increasing. Our objective is to describe the main clinical outcomes and complications of percutaneous closure of patent foramen ovale. Materials and methods: patients who underwent percutaneous PFO closure from January 1, 2016, through September 1, 2021, were recorded retrospectively. Immediate outcomes (<72 hours), and early and late-onset clinical outcomes were evaluated. In-hospital and follow-up mortality were evaluated through medical chart reviews or telephone calls. Results: forty patients who underwent percutaneous PFO closure were included. There was a mean follow up of 2.3 years, the mean age was 43 ± 13.6 years, 7% were over 60 years old, 72.5% were women, 25% were hypertensive, 20% had diabetes, and 10% had a history of migraines. The mean RoPE score was 6, and 50% had a score greater than 7. Out of all the cases, three (7.5%) had serious adverse events and four had immediate complications. During follow-up, 2.5% had early-onset events consisting of atrial fibrillation and 2.5% had late-onset events due to CVA recurrence. There were no deaths from neurological causes and we reported a 100% survival. Discussion: From our experience, we highlight a low percentage of serious adverse events, and a low number of immediate, early and late-onset events, with a 100% survival, showing excellent results for percutaneous PFO closure. (Acta Med Colomb 2022; 48. DOI:https://doi.org/10.36104/amc.2023.2585).

Learning curve and feasibility study of percutaneous closure of patent foramen ovale guided solely by transthoracic echocardiography / 中华胸心血管外科杂志

Objective:To study the learning curve of percutaneous patent foramen ovale (PFO) occlusion guided solely by transthoracic echocardiography (TTE), as well as the success rate and safety of the learning curve.Methods:To retrospectively analyze these patients with indications for PFO occlusion admitted in our department from April 2021 to April 2022, and obtained 100 samples the author's initial cases guided solely by TTE, including 25 men and 75 women, with a mean age of (48.22±10.44) years old.Analyze preoperative baseline data: gender, age, height, weight, body mass index, the tunnel length and size of the PFO measured by transesophageal echocardiography, the grade of contrast-transcranial doppler test, combined atrial septal aneurysm, etc.Operation time, success rate, and complications were analyzed in all patients.Results:With the accumulation of cases, the operation time gradually shortened, accumulated to about 50 cases, the operation time has significantly shortened ( P<0.05), and the learning curve was leveled off after 50 cases ( P<0.05), there was statistical difference.The comparison of the success rate and complication of cases within the learning curve and those after completing the learning curve was no statistical significance( P>0.05). Conclusion:The learning curve of percutaneousc closure of patent foramen ovale guided solely by TTE is long, requiring about 50 cases to complete the learning curve. The success rate and safety of the learning curve are high. This procedure is worth popularizing.

Diagnostic analysis of cTTE for patent foramen ovale and the value of combined NLR monitoring in predicting cryptogenic stroke / 中国医师杂志

Objective:To investigate the diagnostic value of transthoracic echocardiographic contrast-enhanced ultrasound (cTTE) in patent foramen ovale (PFO) and the value of combined neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in predicting cryptogenic stroke.Methods:A total of 120 suspected PFO patients admitted to the Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical College from January 2021 to December 2021 were selected and examined by cTTE and transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) to analyze the diagnostic value of cTTE in PFO. The clinical data and cTTE parameters of PFO patients with and without cryptogenic stroke were analyzed.Results:A total of 69 patients with PFO were confirmed. Among the 69 patients, 23 patients with cryptogenic stroke and 46 patients without cryptogenic stroke were confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The value of cTTE in the diagnosis of PFO was high: the sensitivity, accuracy and negative predictive value of cTTE under Valsalva motion in the diagnosis of PFO were 95.65%, 91.67% and 93.62%, respectively, which were significantly higher than that of cTTE at rest (all P<0.05). The NLR, the proportion of large shunt of PFO right to left shunt (PFO-RLS), the inlet width of patent foramen ovale (PFO) and the outlet width of PFO in patients with PFO complicated with cryptogenic stroke were (3.01±0.89), 43.48%(10/23), (2.54±0.65)mm and (1.51±0.35)mm, respectively, which were significantly higher than those in patients without cryptogenic stroke (all P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that NLR and the degree of PFO-RLS shunt were the influencing factors of patients with PFO complicated with cryptogenic stroke (both P<0.05). The area under the Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve predicted by NLR combined with PFO-RLS shunt was 0.905, which was significantly higher than that predicted by NLR and PFO-RLS shunt alone (all P<0.05). Conclusions:cTTE has a good value in the diagnosis of PFO, and cTTE combined with NLR has a certain application value in predicting PFO complicated with cryptogenic stroke.

Pulmonary arteriovenous malformation and cryptogenic stroke / 国际脑血管病杂志

The relationship between pulmonary arteriovenous malformations (PAVMs) and stroke remains unclear. With the development of imaging technology, studies shows that PAVMs are an important cause of cryptogenic stroke (CS). Most PAVMs are not diagnosed until the onset of stroke. The main pathogenesis of PAVMs-related CS is paradoxical embolism and increased blood viscosity caused by iron deficiency anemia. Antiplatelet therapy and interventional therapy may have a preventive effect on recurrent stroke in such patients. This article summarizes the pathophysiological mechanism, diagnosis and treatment of PAVMs-related CS, hoping to provide new ideas for the diagnosis and treatment of CS.

Application of improved 3D digital guide plate-assisted guided puncture in microballoon compression for primary trigeminal neuralgia / 口腔疾病防治

Objective @#To investigate the clinical efficacy and application value of an improved 3D-printed guide plate for the treatment of primary trigeminal neuralgia (PTN) by percutaneous microballoon compression (PMC). @*Methods @# This prospective study included 42 patients with primary trigeminal neuralgia treated at the Department of Stomatology, Xuzhou Central Hospital, from September 2019 to January 2022. The group was divided by the random number table method into the experimental group (adopting 3D printing technology to make guide plates to guide the puncture, 22 cases) and the control group (adopting the traditional Hartel anterior approach to position the puncture, 20 cases). The intraoperative success rate of the first puncture, puncture time, operative time, radiation exposure of patients and postoperative complications were compared between the two groups. Postoperative Barrow Neurological Institute Scale (BNI) scores, facial numbness, diminished corneal reflexes and chewing weakness were recorded. The t-test, rank-sum test and chi-square test were used for statistical analysis, with P<0.05 indicating a statistically significant difference. @*Results @#The experimental group was significantly better than the control group in terms of the success rate of the first puncture (χ2 = 21.51, P<0.001), puncture time (Z = -5.51, P<0.001), operative time (t = 9.37, P<0.001), and the number of C-arm scans (Z = -4.59, P<0.001). Postoperative BNI scores of the experimental group included 21 cases of grade Ⅰ (91.5%) and 1 case of grade Ⅱ, while the control group included 17 cases of grade Ⅰ (85.0%), 2 cases of grade Ⅱ (10.0%) and 1 case of grade Ⅲ (5.0%), with no statistical significance (P>0.05). In the experimental group, 16 patients had postoperative masseter weakness, 1 had keratitis and 10 had perilabial herpes, while in the control group, 18 patients had postoperative masseter weakness, 2 had keratitis, 11 had perilabial herpes and 1 had monocular blindness. There was no significant difference in postoperative complications between the two groups (P>0.05). At 12 months of follow-up, there was no recurrence in either the experimental or control group. @* Conclusions @#3D digital guide plate-guided percutaneous microballoon compression for primary trigeminal neuralgia can improve the accuracy and safety of puncture to a certain extent, obviously shorten the operation time, reduce radiation exposure of the patients, improve the success rate of the operation, meaning it has a high clinical application value.

Predictive value of foramen ovale size on pain recurrence after percutaneous balloon compression / 中南大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVES@#Primary trigeminal neuralgia (PTN) is a common cranial nerve disease in neurosurgery, which seriously endangers the physical and mental health of patients. Percutaneous balloon compression (PBC) has become an effective procedure for the treatment of PTN by blocking pain conduction through minimally invasive puncture. However, the recurrence of facial pain after PBC is still a major problem for PTN patients. Intraoperative balloon shape, pressure and compression time can affect the prognosis of patients with PBC after surgery. The foramen ovale size has an effect on the balloon pressure in Meckel's lumen. This study aims to analyse the predictive value of foramen ovale size for postoperative pain recurrence of PBC by exploring the relationship between foramen ovale size and postoperative pain recurrence of PBC.@*METHODS@#A retrospectively analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 60 patients with PTN who were treated with PBC in Department of Neurosurgery, Affiliated Hospital of Chengde Medical College from November 2018 to December 2021. We followed-up and recorded the Barrow Neurological Institute (BNI) pain score at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after operation. According to the BNI pain score at 12 months after surgery, the patients were divided into a cure group (BNI pain score I to Ⅱ) and a recurrence group (BNI pain score Ⅲ to Ⅴ). The long diameter, transverse diameter and area of foramen ovale on the affected side and the healthy side of the 2 groups were measured. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and area under the curve (AUC) were used for analysis the relationship between the recurrence of pain and the long diameter, transverse diameter, area of foramen ovale on the affected side, and aspect ratio, transverse diameter ratio, area ratio of foramen ovale on the affected side to healthy side in the 2 groups.@*RESULTS@#At the end of 12 months of follow-up, 50 (83.3%) patients had pain relief (the cured group), 10 (16.7%) patients had different degrees of pain recurrence (the recurrence group), and the total effective rate was 83.3%. There were no significant differences in preoperative baseline data between the 2 groups (all P>0.05). The long diameter of foramen ovale on the affected side, the long diameter ratio and area ratio of foramen ovale on the affected/healthy side in the cured group were significantly higher than those in the recurrence group (all P<0.05), and there were no significant differences in the transverse diameter and area of foramen ovale on the affected side and the transverse diameter ratio of foramen ovale on the affected/healthy side between the 2 groups (all P>0.05). The ROC curve analysis showed that the AUC of the long diameter of foramen ovale on the affected side was 0.290 (95% CI 0.131 to 0.449, P=0.073), and the AUC of aspect ratio of foramen ovale on the affected side to healthy side was 0.792 (95% CI 0.628 to 0.956, P=0.004). The AUC of area ratio of foramen ovale on the affected side to healthy side was 0.766 (95% CI 0.591 to 0.941, P=0.008), indicating that aspect ratio and area ratio of foramen ovale on the affected side to healthy side had a good predictive effect on postoperative pain recurrence of PBC. When aspect ratio of foramen ovale on the affected side to healthy side was less than 0.886 3 or area ratio of foramen ovale on the affected side to healthy side was less than 0.869 4, postoperative pain recurrence was common.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Accurate evaluation of the foramen ovale size of skull base before operation is of great significance in predicting pain recurrence after PBC.

Papel do Ecocardiograma na Avaliação do Septo Interatrial e Pesquisa de Forame Oval Patente como Fonte Emboligênica / The Role of Echocardiography in the Assessment of the Interatrial Septum and Patent Foramen Ovale as an Emboligenic Source

Resumo A comunicação do septo atrial (CIA) representa, aproximadamente, de 6%-10% dos defeitos cardíacos congênitos, com incidência de 1 em 1.500 nascidos vivos.1 Forame oval patente (FOP) é mais comum e está presente em mais de 20%-25% dos adultos.2 Síndromes clínicas associadas a CIA e FOP são variáveis, com implicações abrangendo a medicina pediátrica e adulta, neurologia e cirurgia. O interesse adicional na anatomia do septo interatrial (SIA) aumentou substancialmente nas últimas duas décadas, com evolução simultânea dos procedimentos percutâneos envolvendo cardiopatia estrutural do lado esquerdo e procedimentos eletrofisiológicos. Idealmente, essas intervenções baseadas em cateter requerem rota direta para o átrio esquerdo (AE) através do SIA, necessitando completo entendimento de sua anatomia. Atualmente, tecnologias de imagem sofisticadas e não invasivas como ecocardiografia transesofágica bidimensional (ETE 2D) e tridimensional (ETE 3D), ressonância cardíaca (RMC) e tomografia computadorizada (TC) passaram por um extraordinário desenvolvimento tecnológico, fornecendo detalhes anatômicos das estruturas cardíacas visualizadas em formato 2D e 3D e são essenciais para diagnóstico e tratamento de pacientes com doenças cardíacas. A avaliação da anatomia e anormalidades do SIA, portanto, requer abordagem padronizada e sistemática, integrando modalidades diagnósticas e fornecendo avaliação adequada e uniforme para terapias cirúrgicas e transcateter.

Abstract Atrial septal defects (ASD) account for approximately 6%-10% of congenital heart defects, with an incidence of 1 in 1,500 live births.1 Patent foramen ovale (PFO) is more common and is present in more than 20%-25% of adults.2 Clinical syndromes associated with ASD and PFO are variable, and their implications are targeted by pediatric and adult medicine, neurology, and surgery. Additional interest in the anatomy of the interatrial septum (IAS) has increased substantially over the last two decades. Additionally, percutaneous procedures involving left-sided structural heart disease and electrophysiological procedures have evolved considerably. Ideally, these catheter-based interventions require a direct route to the left atrium (LA) through the IAS, with a full understanding of its anatomy. Also, sophisticated and noninvasive imaging technologies such as two-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography (2D-TEE) and three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography (3D-TEE), cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR), and computed tomography (CT) have evolved considerably, providing anatomical details of cardiac structures visualized in 2D and 3D format and being key for the diagnosis and treatment of patients with heart diseases. Therefore, assessing the anatomy of the IAS and any abnormalities requires a standardized and systematic approach, integrating diagnostic modalities and enabling adequate and consistent evaluation for both surgical and transcatheter therapies.

Active Paradoxical and Pulmonary Emboli in a First Trimester Pregnancy

Capturing a paradoxical embolism in real?time has been a challenge in recent literature. We present the unique case of a 33?year?old, G3P2 female at 8 weeks gestation presenting with dyspnea. An active thrombus through an undiagnosed patent foramen ovale was found requiring emergent surgical intervention with a positive outcome. The presence of a deep vein thrombosis, inferior vena caval thrombus, patent foramen ovale, and pulmonary artery thrombi was contemporarily documented. To our knowledge, there is minimal literature with this presentation.

Estudo observacional transversal de pacientes submetidos à oclusão percutânea de forame oval patente: uma avaliação retrospectiva de 20 anos / Cross-sectional observational study of patients submitted to percutaneous occlusion of patent foramen ovale: a 20-year retrospective analysis

Introdução: A possibilidade de shunt da direita para esquerda pelo forame oval é causa potencial de embolia paradoxal. A presença de forame oval entre os pacientes com acidente vascular cerebral isquêmico criptogênico em mais de 40% dos casos despertou interesse em avaliar o impacto de seu fechamento na redução de recidiva da doença. O estudo objetiva relatar a experiência de 20 anos com fechamento percutâneo de forame oval realizado por um único operador. Métodos: Foram submetidos a fechamento percutâneo de forame oval associado a shunt da direita para esquerda 527 pacientes com acidente vascular cerebral isquêmico. Resultados: O procedimento foi realizado com sucesso em todos os pacientes. A média da idade foi de 48 anos (9 a 72 anos), sendo 57% do sexo masculino. Foram implantadas prótese Amplatzer® em 295 pacientes (56%) e Occlutech® em 232 (44%). Não houve mortalidade, e ocorreram as seguintes complicações: hematoma no local da punção em três pacientes (0,6%); fístula arteriovenosa femoral em dois (0,4%) com resolução espontânea; tamponamento cardíaco em dois (0,4%) com resolução após punção e drenagem; arritmia supraventricular transitória em três (0,6%); cefaleia em 27 (5,1%); fibrilação atrial em dois (0,4%); shunt residual grande com necessidade de segunda prótese em dois pacientes (0,4%); recorrência de acidente vascular cerebral isquêmico em seguimento em 5 anos em quatro (0,8%) e hipersensibilidade ao níquel em uma paciente (0,2%). Conclusão: A oclusão de forame oval como prevenção de recorrência de acidente vascular cerebral isquêmico nessa série se mostrou segura, eficaz e com baixo índice de recidiva em 5 anos de seguimento.

Background: Left-to-right shunting via the foramen ovale is a potential cause of paradoxical embolism. The presence of patent foramen ovale in more than 40% of patients with idiopathic ischemic stroke has led to deeper investigation of the impact of its closure on decreasing stroke recurrence rates. This study describes 20 years of experience with percutaneous patent foramen ovale occlusion performed by a single operator. Methods: This sample comprised 527 patients with ischemic stroke submitted to percutaneous occlusion of patent foramen ovale associated to left-to- right shunting. Results: The procedure was successful in all cases. The mean age was 48 years (range of 9 to 72 years), and 57% were male. Amplatzer® and Occlutech® prostheses were implanted in 295 and 232 patients (56% and 44%, respectively). There were no deaths, and complications were as follows: hematoma at the puncture site (three patients, 0.6%), femoral arteriovenous fistula with spontaneous resolution (two patients, 0.4%), cardiac tamponade resolved after puncture and drainage (two patients, 0.4%), transient supraventricular arrhythmia (22 patients, 4.2%), headache (27 patients, 5.1%), atrial fibrillation (two patients, 0.4%), large residual shunt requiring a second prosthesis (two patients, 0.4%), recurrence of ischemic stroke within 5 years (four patients, 0.8%) and hypersensitivity to nickel (one patient, 0.2%). Conclusion: In this series, patent foramen ovale occlusion was a safe and effective alternative for prevention of recurrent ischemic stroke. Recurrence rates over the course of 5 years were low.

Patent foramen ovale in patients with cryptogenic stroke: evaluation and secondary prevention / 国际脑血管病杂志

Cryptogenic stroke (CS) is a type of stroke that can not find the exact cause after using the standard clinical examination procedure of stroke. In recent years, many studies have shown that patent foramen ovale (PFO) is closely associated with CS, and its main pathogenesis is paradoxical embolism. In clinical practice, ultrasound is often used for PFO screening. In the context of PFO, the secondary prevention of CS includes drug therapy and PFO closure, but the choice of treatment is still controversial. Screening and evaluation of possible PFO will help to develop secondary prevention strategies for patients with CS, especially those who can benefit from PFO closure.

Embolic stroke of undetermined source: potential etiology and secondary prevention / 国际脑血管病杂志

The source of the emboli of embolic stroke of undetermined source (ESUS) is still unclear, and the effect of antithrombotic therapy is also different. The recurrence rate of stroke in patients with ESUS is higher, and antiplatelet therapy is still a commonly used secondary prevention scheme. This article reviews the potential causes, pathogenesis and secondary prevention of ESUS.

Application value of inferior vena cava compression combined with modified Valsalva maneuver in patent foramen ovale / 中华超声影像学杂志

Objective:To comparatively analyze the diagnostic value of patent foramen ovale and the degree of right-to-left shunt among the traditional Valsalva maneuver (VM), the modified Valsalva maneuver (mVM) and the compression of the inferior vena cava combined with modified Valsalva maneuver (CM).Methods:A total of 132 patients with migraine, dizziness, chest pain and other symptoms in Longgang District People′s Hospital of Shenzhen from January 2021 to December 2021 were prospectively enrolled. The detection rate of patent foramen ovale and the degree of right-to-left shunt were assessed among the rest state and after performing the auxiliary maneuvers including VM, mVM and CM respectively.Results:After performing the auxiliary maneuvers, the detection rate of patent foramen ovale was significantly increased (88.6% vs 59.8%) with statistical significance (χ 2=36.026, P<0.001). There was a significant difference in the degree of right-to-left shunt among the three auxiliary maneuvers (χ 2=25.581, P<0.001). CM was the most effective for the detection of the large right-to-left shunt, and the difference was statistically significant compared with VM and mVM ( P<0.001, P=0.002). Conclusions:Auxiliary maneuvers is crucial for the diagnosis of patent foramen ovale. Compared with VM and mVM, performing CM can further improve the detection rate of patent foramen ovale and increase the degree of right-to-left shunt.

Application of fetal atrial septal excursion index and comprehensive Z-scores of cardiovascular structures in fetuses with redundancy foramen ovale flap / 中华超声影像学杂志

Objective:To investigate the application of fetal atria septal excursion index (ASEI) combining cardiovascular structure Z-scores in fetuses with redundancy foramen ovale flap (RFOF).Methods:Twenty-two fetuses with RFOF diagnosed by fetal echocardiography in Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital from December 2019 to September 2021 were selected as the RFOF group and 62 normal fetuses as the control group. The movement of the foramen ovale valve was observed in the four chamber view, and the maximum distance of the foramen ovale valve bulging, the total length of the atrial septum, the foramen ovale diameter, the diameters of the aortic valve, the pulmonary valve, the ascending aorta, the aortic isthmus, the descending aorta and the left and right ventricular areas were measured. ASEI, foramen ovale diameter, foramen ovale valve excursion distance, the ratio of foramen ovale diameter to total atrial septum length, aortic valvular annular diameter Z-score(AOV Z-score), pulmonary valvular annular diameter Z-score(PV Z-score), ascending aorta diameter Z-score(AOA Z-score), ascending aorta diameter Z-score (AOA Z-score), aortic isthmus Z-score (AOI Z-score), descending aorta diameter Z-score (AOD Z-score), diastolic right ventricular area Z-score (RV area Z-score) and diastolic left ventricular area Z-score(LV area Z-score) were compared between the two groups. RFOF fetuses were followed up to observe the prognosis.Results:There were significant differences in fetal ASEI, foramen ovale diameter, foramen ovale valve excursion distance, the ratio of foramen ovale diameter to total atrial septum length, AOV Z-score, PV Z-score, AOA Z-score, AOI Z-score, AOD Z-score and LV area Z-score between RFOF group and control group (all P<0.05), but there was no significant difference in RV area Z-score ( P>0.05). Postnatal follow-up outcomes in RFOF group indicated that 17 of 22 cases (77.3%) had live birth, five cases (22.7%) were lost at follow-up. Twelve of 17 live birth cases (70.5%) showed structurally normal heart by postnatal echocardiography, 3 cases (17.6%) showed mild coarctation of the aorta with nonsignificant hemodynamics under clinical follow-up, 2 cases (11.8%) were diagnosed with coarctation of the aorta, pulmonary artery dilation and atrial septal defect, and died after operation, of which one case died of infections pneumonia after operation. Another case was born prematurely at 36 + 4 weeks with a birth weight of 2 650 g, and neotal echocardiography showed ventricular septal defect, atrial septal defect and patent ductus arteriosus. Conclusions:ASEI can quantitatively evaluate the behavior of foramen ovale valve mobility and in combination with Z-scores of cardiovascular structures can be used to assess the morphological changes of fetal hearts. Although some fetuses with RFOF demonstrate left and right ventricular disproportion and coarctation of the aorta in fetal echocardiography, most fetuses have a good prognosis.

Application of "hand as foot" teaching method in echocardiographic teaching of patent foramen ovale / 中华医学教育探索杂志

The understanding of heart embryonic development and structure can contribute to improve our leaning of the etiology, pathophysiology and classification of congenital heart disease in humans, which has become the focus of echocardiography teaching. Meanwhile the difficulties and problems formed because of its diverse and fragmented theoretical knowledge. "Hand as foot" teaching method is a kind of teaching method using intuitive body language combined with the thought of analogy, so as to make teaching content relatively simplistic and figurative. Our study has demonstrated this method can be used in a constructive way to improve course content and delivery for echocardiography teaching to assess patent foramen ovale for standardized residency training of cardiac ultrasound, and achieved a good teaching effect. The specific implementation approaches and effect of this method are described in detail. This paper also explores the potential feasibility and benefits of the application of using "Hand as foot" teaching method in echocardiography teaching.