Comparison of right-to-left shunt characteristics in cryptogenic embolic ischemic stroke and non-cardioembolic ischemic stroke / Comparação das características do shunt direita-esquerda em pacientes com AVC isquêmico criptogênio e AVC não cardioembólico

Abstract Background: Patent foramen ovale (PFO) has been considered a potential mechanism of embolic stroke of undetermined origin. Objective: The aim of the present study was to identify the features of the right-to-left shunt (RLS) in patients with undetermined embolic ischemic stroke and compare them with those of patients with non-cardioembolic ischemic stroke. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted with 168 patients with stroke and RLS separated into the following two groups: the undetermined embolic stroke group (UES group) and non-cardioembolic stroke group (NCES group). All patients were assessed by transcranial Doppler to evaluate the presence and quantification of microembolic signals (MES) at rest and under Valsalva maneuver. Results: Of all patients evaluated in the current study, 96 were included in the UES group and 72 in the NCES group. In the UES group, 65 patients had RLS with ≥10 MES (67.7%), which was higher than that observed in the NCES group (51.4%, p=0.038). According to the moment of the cardiac cycle, 75 patients (78.1%) in the UES group had a positive test at rest compared to 42 (58.3%) in the NCES group (p=0.007). Conclusions: The current study demonstrated that almost 70% of patients with undetermined embolic stroke and PFO presented a large RLS and more than 75% had RLS at rest. These findings suggest that the size of the shunt should be taken into account when evaluating whether PFO could be a possible mechanism underlying cryptogenic stroke.

RESUMO Antecedentes: Uma das potenciais fontes embólicas no acidente vascular cerebral (AVC) de origem indeterminada é o forame oval patente (FOP). Objetivo: O objetivo do presente estudo foi identificar as características do shunt direita-esquerda em paciente com AVC de etiologia indeterminada, presumidamente embólica, e comparar tais características com pacientes apresentando AVC por outras causas não embólicas. Métodos: Trata-se de um estudo retrospectivo com 168 pacientes com AVC e forame oval patente, separados em dois grupos: AVC embólico de etiologia indeterminada e AVC por outras causas não embólicas. Todos os pacientes foram submetidos a Doppler transcraniano, para avaliar a presença de shunt direita-esquerda por meio do teste de embolia paradoxal. Além da quantificação de microbolhas, também foi avaliada a presença de shunt em repouso e sob manobra de Valsalva. Resultado: Do total, 96 pacientes foram incluídos no primeiro grupo (AVC indeterminado) e 72, no segundo grupo (AVC não embólico). No primeiro grupo, 65 pacientes exibiram shunt com passagem de mais de 10 microbolhas (67,5%), enquanto no segundo grupo isso aconteceu em 51,4% (p=0,038) dos casos. Além disso, 75 pacientes (78,1%) do primeiro grupo tiveram teste positivo ao repouso, comparados com 42 pacientes (58,3%) no segundo grupo (p=0,007). Conclusão: O presente estudo demonstrou que até 70% dos pacientes com AVC de etiologia indeterminada e forame oval apresentaram shunts maiores; em mais de 75%, houve passagem de microbolhas ao repouso. Esses achados sugerem que as características do shunt, como quantidade de microbolhas e passagem ao repouso, devem ser levadas em consideração na avaliação do FOP como possível mecanismo subjacente ao AVC.

Foramen oval persistente como causa de hipoxemia persistente en un paciente con neumonía grave COVID-19. Reporte de un caso / Persistent foramen ovale as a cause of persistent hypoxemia after a pneumonia caused with COVID-19. Report of one case

In patients with severe COVID-19, it has been proposed as mechanism of respiratory failure, intra and extrapulmonary shunt. However, there are no reported or documented cases of this mechanism. Also, there are studies showing this mechanism is not relevant. In this report, we present the case of a patient with severe COVID-19 pneumonia, who after two months, during his rehabilitation period, presented persistent hypoxemia with orthodeoxia. Persistent oval foramen with shunt from right to left was diagnosed. The patient underwent a percutaneous closure of the defect and at 48 hours oxygen therapy could be discontinued and the patient discharged.

Trombo a través de foramen oval permeable: embolia paradojal cerebral y factores de alto riesgo de recurrencia. Caso clínico / Paradoxical embolism due to a persistent patent foramen ovale: report of one case

Abstract: Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO) is one of the most frequent congenital defects in adults. Its prevalence in middle-aged adults is close to 25-30% and may cause paradoxical embolic phenomena. We report a 45 years old male admitted for an ischemic stroke with an occlusion of the left terminal internal carotid artery. A thrombectomy was performed. Searching for possible sources of emboli, a patent foramen ovale was detected in an echocardiography, with an hypoechogenic examination image passing through it. Anticoagulant therapy was started and the patient had an uneventful evolution.

Updated meta-analysis on the closure of patent foramen ovale in reduction of stroke rates: the defense-pfo trial does not change the scenario

Abstract Objective: We aimed to analyze whether patent foramen ovale (PFO) closure reduces the risk of stroke, assessing also some safety outcomes after the publication of a new trial. Introduction: The clinical benefit of closing a PFO has been an open question, so it is necessary to review the current state of published medical data in regards to this subject. Methods: MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL/CCTR, SciELO, LILACS, Google Scholar and reference lists of relevant articles were used to search for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that reported any of the following outcomes: stroke, death, major bleeding or atrial fibrillation. Six studies fulfilled our eligibility criteria and included 3560 patients (1889 for PFO closure and 1671 for medical therapy. Results: The risk ration (RR) for stroke in the "closure" group compared with the "medical therapy" showed a statistically significant difference between the groups, favouring the "closure" group (RR 0.366; 95%CI 0.171-0.782, P=0.010). There was no statistically significant difference between the groups regarding the safety outcomes, death and major bleeding, but we observed an increase in the risk of atrial fibrillation in the "closure" group (RR 4.131; 95%CI 2.293-7.443, P<0.001). We also observed that the larger the proportion of effective closure, the lower the risk of stroke. Conclusion: This meta-analysis found that stroke rates are lower with percutaneously implanted device closure than with medical therapy alone, being these rates modulated by the rates of hypertension, atrial septal aneurysm and effective closure. The publication of a new trial did not change the scenario in the medical literature.

Closure of patent foramen ovale versus medical therapy after cryptogenic stroke: meta-analysis of five randomized controlled trials with 3440 patients

Abstract Objective: We aimed to determine whether patent foramen ovale closure reduces the risk of stroke, also assessing some safety outcomes. Introduction: The clinical benefit of closing a patent foramen ovale after a cryptogenic stroke has been an open question for several decades, so that it is necessary to review the current state of published medical data in this regard. Methods: MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL/CCTR, SciELO, LI-LACS, Google Scholar and reference lists of relevant articles were searched for randomized controlled trials that reported any of the following outcomes: stroke, death, major bleeding or atrial fibrillation. Five studies fulfilled our eligibility criteria and included 3440 patients (1829 for patent foramen ovale closure and 1611 for medical therapy). Results: The risk ratio (RR) for stroke in the "device closure" group compared with the "medical therapy" showed a statistically significant difference between the groups, favouring the "device closure" group (RR 0.400; 95% CI 0.183-0.873, P=0.021). There was no statistically significant difference between the groups regarding the safety outcomes death and major bleeding, but we observed an increase in the risk of atrial fibrillation in the "device closure group (RR 4.000; 95% CI 2.262-7.092, P<0.001). We also observed that the larger the proportion of effective closure, the lower the risk of stroke. Conclusion: This meta-analysis found that stroke rates are lower with percutaneously implanted device closure than with medical therapy alone, being these rates modulated by the rates of effective closure.

Síndrome de May Thurner con accidente cerebrovascular isquémico y foramen oval permeable / May Thurner syndrome with ischemic cerebrovascular accident and permeable oval foramen

La asociación de accidente cerebral isquémico con foramen oval permeable, no ha sido extensamente estudiada, y frecuentemente el sitio de origen de la embolia no se detecta a pesar de los estudios de rutina. Se presenta el caso de un paciente joven con accidente cerebral vascular isquémico y foramen oval permeable en el contexto de síndrome de May Thurner. El síndrome de May Thurner es una entidad poco estudiada en la literatura médica y además se lo ha relacionado poco con accidente cerebral vascular isquémico, pero en pacientes con foramen oval permeable sin evidencia de la fuente embolígena, es interesante descartarlo como causa de embolia paradojal.

The association of cerebral ischemic attack with patent foramen ovale has not been extensively studied, and frequently the site of origin of embolism is not detected despite routine studies. We present the case of a young patient with ischemic stroke and permeable oval foramen in the context of May Thurner syndrome. The May Thurner syndrome is an entity scarcely studied in the medical literature and it has also been infrequently related to ischemic vascular cerebral accident, but in patients with permeable oval foramen without evidence of the emboligen source, it is interesting to rule it out as a cause of paradoxical embolism.

Severe fat embolism in perioperative abdominal liposuction and fat grafting / Embolia gordurosa grave no peroperatório de lipoaspiração abdominal e lipoenxertia

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Fat embolism syndrome may occur in patients suffering from multiple trauma (long bone fractures) or plastic surgery (liposuction), compromising the circulatory, respiratory and/or central nervous systems. This report shows the evolution of severe fat embolism syndrome after liposuction and fat grafting. CASE REPORT: SSS, 42 years old, ASA 1, no risk factors for thrombosis, candidate for abdominal liposuction and breast implant prosthesis. Subjected to balanced general anesthesia with basic monitoring and controlled ventilation. After 45 min of procedure, there was a sudden and gradual decrease of capnometry, severe hypoxemia and hypotension. The patient was immediately monitored for MAP and central catheter, treated with vasopressors, inotropes, and crystalloid infusion, stabilizing her condition. Arterial blood sample showed pH = 7.21; PCO2 = 51 mmHg; PO2 = 52 mmHg; BE = -8; HCO3 = 18 mEq L-1, and lactate = 6.0 mmol L-1. Transthoracic echocardiogram showed PASP = 55 mmHg, hypocontractile VD and LVEF = 60%. Diagnosis of pulmonary embolism. After 24 h of intensive treatment, the patient developed anisocoria and coma (Glasgow coma scale = 3). A brain CT was performed which showed severe cerebral hemispheric ischemia with signs of fat emboli in right middle cerebral artery; transesophageal echocardiography showed a patent foramen ovale. Finally, after 72 h of evolution, the patient progressed to brain death. CONCLUSION: Fat embolism syndrome usually occurs in young people. Treatment is based mainly on the infusion of fluids and vasoactive drugs, mechanical ventilation, and triggering factor correction (early fixation of fractures or suspension of liposuction). The multiorgânico involvement indicates a worse prognosis.

RESUMO JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: A Síndrome da Embolia Gordurosa (SEG) pode acontecer em pacientes vítimas de politrauma (fratura de ossos longos) ou operações plásticas (lipoaspiração), comprometendo circulação, respiração e/ou sistema nervoso central. O presente relato mostra evolução de SEG grave após lipoaspiração e lipoenxertia. RELATO DO CASO: SSS, 42 anos, ASA 1, sem fatores de risco para trombose, candidata a lipoaspiração abdominal e implante de prótese mamária. Submetida à anestesia geral balanceada com monitorização básica e ventilação controlada. Após 45 minutos de procedimento, houve queda súbita e progressiva da capnometria, hipoxemia e hipotensão grave. Imediatamente foi monitorizada com PAM e cateter central, tratada com vasopressores, inotrópicos e infusão de cristaloides, obtendo estabilização do quadro. Amostra sanguínea arterial mostrou pH = 7,21; PCO2 = 51 mmHg; PO2 = 52 mmHg; BE = -8; HCO3 = 18 mEQ/l e lactato = 6,0 mmol/l. Ecocardiograma transtorácico mostrou PSAP = 55 mmHg, VD hipocontrátil e FEVE = 60%. Diagnóstico de embolia pulmonar. Após24 h de tratamento intensivo, a paciente evoluiu com anisocoria e coma com escala de glasgow 3. Realizada TC de encéfalo que evidenciou isquemia cerebral grave, hemisférica, com sinais de êmbolos de gordura em A. cerebral média D; o ecocardiograma transesofágico mostrou forame oval patente. Finalmente, após 72 h de evolução, a paciente evoluiu para morte encefálica. CONCLUSÃO: A SEG ocorre geralmente em jovens. O tratamento baseia-se principalmente na infusão de líquidos e drogas vasoativas, ventilação mecânica e correção do fator desencadeante (fixação precoce de fraturas ou suspensão da lipoaspiração). O comprometimento multiorgânico indica pior prognóstico.

Comparison of Outcomes after Device Closure and Medication Alone in Patients with Patent Foramen Ovale and Cryptogenic Stroke in Korean Population

PURPOSE: To compare the effectiveness of device closure and medical therapy in prevention of recurrent embolic event in the Korean population with cryptogenic stroke and patent foramen ovale (PFO). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Consecutive 164 patients (men: 126 patients, mean age: 48.1 years, closure group: 72 patients, medical group: 92 patients) were enrolled. The primary end point was a composite of death, stroke, transient ischemic attack (TIA), or peripheral embolism. RESULTS: Baseline characteristics were similar in the two groups, except age, which was higher in the medical group (45.3±9.8 vs. 50.2±6.1, p<0.0001), and risk of paradoxical embolism score, which was higher in the closure group (6.2±1.6 vs. 5.7±1.3, p=0.026). On echocardiography, large right-to-left shunt (81.9% vs. 63.0%, p=0.009) and shunt at rest/septal hypermobility (61.1% vs. 23.9%, p<0.0001) were more common in the closure group. The device was successfully implanted in 71 (98.6%) patients. The primary end point occurred in 2 patients (2 TIA, 2.8%) in the closure group and in 2 (1 death, 1 stroke, 2.2%) in the medical group. Event-free survival rate did not differ between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Compared to medical therapy, device closure of PFO in patients with cryptogenic stroke did not show difference in reduction of recurrent embolic events in the real world's setting. However, considering high risk of echocardiographic findings in the closure group, further investigation of the role of PFO closure in the Asian population is needed.

Oclusão de artéria central da retina associada ao forame oval patente / Central retinal artery occlusion associated with patent foramen ovale

Oclusão da artéria central da retina é uma doença comumente encontrada em pacientes idosos, mas pode também ser vista em crianças e adultos jovens. Nestes, as principais causas são anomalias cardíacas, sendo o forame oval patente o mais observado. O objetivo do trabalho é relatar o caso de um paciente jovem com oclusão da artéria central da retina apresentando persistência de forame oval e, também, salientar a importância de uma propedêutica detalhada nos casos de oclusões vasculares da retina.

Central retinal artery occlusion it’s a disease most encountered in older patients, however it can be seen in children and young persons. In this situation the principal causes are cardiac abnormalities, and the patent foramen ovale is the most observed. The purpose of this study is to report a case of central retinal artery occlusion in a young patient with patent foramen ovale and, also, describe the importance of a detailed management in cases of retinal vascular occlusions.

Is the patent foramen ovale closure the best option? / O fechamento do foramen oval patente é a melhor opção?

Patent foramen ovale (PFO) closure is indicated in some cases to protect patients against embolic events. The aim of this study was to certify that the method of PFO closure to prevent microemboli (MES) is reliable, using contrast enhanced transcranial Doppler (cTCD) as a diagnostic and follow-up tool. METHODS: cTCD was performed before and after PFO closure in 20 patients. Results obtained a minimum of 12 months after the procedure were analyzed in this study. RESULTS: After the procedure, 14 patients (82%) showed no microemboli in cTCD at rest, but after provocative Valsalva maneuver (VM) microembolic phenomenon were still detected in 14 (70%): 7 (35%) <10 MES, 3 (15%) 10-20 MES and 4 (20%) had more than 20 MES ("curtain"). Only six of the total patients presented no MES in both resting and VM. CONCLUSION: These results showed a large percentage of patients with MES detection in a bubble study with transcranial Doppler more than one year after the procedure of PFO closure, showing right-to-left residual shunting. Despite the small number of patients, this study provides important data about this therapeutic decision.

O fechamento do forame oval patente (FOP) é indicado em alguns casos para prevenir eventos embólicos. O objetivo deste estudo foi certificar que o fechamento do FOP previne contra microembolia usando o Doppler transcraniano contrastado (cTCD) como método diagnóstico e de controle. MÉTODOS: O cTCD foi realizado antes e depois do fechamento do FOP em 20 pacientes. Foram analisados somente os resultados obtidos após 12 meses do procedimento. RESULTADOS: Após o procedimento, 14 pacientes (82%) não apresentaram microembolia (MES) ao exame de repouso. Entretanto, após sensibilização com manobra de Valsalva (MV), detectou-se ainda passagem de MES em 14 (70%) dos pacientes: 7 (35%) <10 MES; 3 (15%) 10-20 MES e 4 (20%) com mais de 20 MES (padrão "cortina"). Somente seis pacientes não apresentaram sinais de MES em ambas as etapas do teste (repouso e MV). CONCLUSÃO: Grande porcentagem de pacientes apresentou MES após o procedimento para fechamento do FOP, o que é consistente com presença de shunt direito-esquerdo residual. Apesar do pequeno número de pacientes, este estudo apresenta dados que contribuem com esta importante decisão terapêutica.

Right-to-left shunt and the hypercoagulable state: does paradoxical embolism play a role in patients with antiphospholipid syndrome and stroke? / Shunt direita-esquerda e hipercoagulabilidade: embolia paradoxal pode ser responsável pelo AVC na síndrome antifosfolipídica?

OBJECTIVE: Patent foramen ovale is associated with paradoxical embolism (PE) and stroke. Hypercoagulable states, such as antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), can exacerbate PE by increasing clot formation. The aim of this study was to verify whether patients with APS and stroke present a right-to-left shunt (RLS) with greater frequency than patients with APS but without stroke. METHODS: Fifty-three patients with APS were tested for RLS using contrast-enhanced transcranial Doppler (cTCD): 23 patients had a history of stroke (Stroke Group) and 30 had no history of stroke (No-stroke Group). RESULTS: cTCD was positive in 15 patients (65%) from the Stroke Group and in 16 patients (53%) in the No-stroke Group (p=0.56). The proportion of patients with a small RLS (<10 high-intensity transient sign or HITS) and a large RLS (>10 HITS) was similar between the groups without significant difference. CONCLUSIONS: Our data do not support the theory that paradoxical embolism may play an important role in stroke in APS patients.

OBJETIVO: O forame oval patente está associado com embolia paradoxal e acidente vascular cerebral isquêmico (AVCi). Estados de hipercoagulabilidade, como a síndrome antifosfolipídica (SAF), podem facilitar esse processo, aumentando a formação de coágulos. O objetivo deste estudo foi verificar se pacientes com SAF e AVCi apresentam maior frequência de shunt direita-esquerda (SDE), comparados a pacientes com SAF sem AVCi. MÉTODOS: Cinquenta e três pacientes com SAF foram testados para SDE usando Doppler transcraniano contrastado (DTCc): 23 com AVCi (Grupo AVC) e 30 sem história de AVCi (Grupo Controle). RESULTADOS: DTCc foi positivo em 15 pacientes (65%) do Grupo AVC e em 16 pacientes (53%) no Grupo Controle (p=0,56). A proporção de pacientes com pequeno SDE (<10 HITS) e grande SDE (>10 HITS) foi semelhante nos dois grupos. Não houve diferença significativa entre os grupos. CONCLUSÕES: Nossos dados não sugerem que embolia paradoxal seja causa importante de AVCi em pacientes com SAF.

Trastorno del ritmo poscierre del foramen oval con dispositivo Amplatzer PFO® / Rhythm disorder post-closure of the foramen ovale with Amplatzer PFO® device

Presentamos el caso clínico de una paciente de 53 años que consultó con síntomas neurológicos compatibles con un ataque isquémico transitorio. Se encontró un desorden protrombótico y un foramen oval permeable, sin otra explicación para la enfermedad. Se decidió cerrarlo por vía percutánea mediante un dispositivo Amplatzer PFO® y no hubo complicaciones durante el procedimiento. A los 15 días del alta comenzó con palpitaciones rápidas y se demostró una taquicardia auricular paroxística recurrente. Se inició tratamiento farmacológico con propafenona que logró controlar la arritmia y el síntoma. A los tres meses se suspendió la medicación. Transcurridos seis meses la paciente está asintomática, con electrocardiograma normal y un Holter sin la arritmia. Revisamos la literatura disponible sobre los trastornos del ritmo luego del cierre percutáneo del foramen oval y comunicación interauricular.

We report the case of a 53 years old woman who presents with neurologycal symptoms suggestive of a transient ischemic attack. A prothrombotic disorder and patent formen oval were found, with no other explantion for the disease. It was decided to closed the foramen with a percutaneously implanted Amplatzer PFO® device and there were no incidents during the procedure. Fiftheen days after hospital discharge she began to refere rapid palpitations and a paroxistic recurrent atrial tachycardia was documented. Pharmacological therapy with propafenone was initiated and it was able to control the arrhythmia and the symptoms. Three months later the drug was discontinued. After 6 months follow up the patient is asymptomatic, with a normal EKG and a Holter without arrhythmias. We review the available literature about rhythm disorders after the percutaneus closure of the foramen oval and interatrial comunication.

Trombose de Amplatzer: relato de caso / Amplatzer thrombosis: case report

Introdução: Algumas opções terapêuticas estão disponíveis para prevenção da recorrência de acidente vascular encefálico, em pacientes com forame oval patente (FOP), defeito do septo interatrial (DSA) e aneurisma do septo interatrial. O fechamento do DSA ou FOP com dispositivos percutaneamente implantáveis tem sido estudado, relatando-se baixa incidência de complicações em curto e longo prazos. Relato do caso: Descreveremos um caso de trombose de prótese de Amplatzer, trinta dias após fechamento de uma comunicação interatrial, uma rara complicação que este dispositivo pode apresentar.

Tromboembolismo pulmonar masivo de alto riesgo asociado a foramen oval permeable / High-risk massive pulmonary thromboembolism associated with patent foramen ovale

La alta mortalidad de los pacientes con tromboembolismo pulmonar masivo de alto riesgo amerita un enfoque terapéutico enérgico e invasivo que incluya la embolectomía pulmonar quirúrgica en aquellos pacientes con contraindicación para trombolisis o trombolisis fallida. Describimos un caso de tromboembolismo pulmonar masivo de alto riesgo que recibió tratamiento quirúrgico en vez de trombolisis debido a que al momento del diagnóstico presentaba un trombo móvil a través de un foramen oval permeable con altísima posibilidad de embolismo paradójico arterial.

High mortality rate associated with massive pulmonary embolism requires an aggressive invasive approach including surgical pulmonary embolectomy when thrombolytic therapy has failed or is contraindicated. We describe a case of high-risk massive pulmonary embolism who underwent surgical treatment due to the presence of a mobile intracardiac clot in a patent foramen ovale, and the possible risk of paradoxical arterial embolism.

Experiência inicial com a nova prótese CARDIA UltraseptTM para fechamento do forame oval patente: ainda uma boa opção / Early experience with the new CARDIA UltraseptTM device for patent foramen ovale occlusion: still a good option

INTRODUÇÃO: Neste trabalho os autores visam a apresentar sua experiência inicial com o uso da nova prótese CARDIA UltraseptTM para fechamento percutâneo do forame oval. MÉTODOS: Foram selecionados por ecocardiograma transesofágico pacientes portadores de forame oval com eventos embólicos prévios, de qualquer idade e peso, ou enxaqueca de difícil controle clínico. Os critérios de eficácia incluíram ausência de shunt residual pelo ecocardiograma transesofágico com teste de microbolhas após seis meses e ausência de recidiva de eventos neurológicos. Não foram excluídos pacientes com base em dados morfológicos do forame oval. RESULTADOS: De abril de 2011 a maio de 2012 foram submetidos ao procedimento de oclusão 22 pacientes (6 do sexo masculino e 16 do sexo feminino) com idades entre 16 e 68 anos. Apenas uma paciente não tinha antecedente de acidente vascular cerebral ou ataque isquêmico transitório e sim enxaqueca de difícil controle clínico. Nenhum paciente apresentou aneurisma de septo atrial. Foi possível o implante em todos os casos, sendo utilizados 23 dispositivos. O dispositivo mais utilizado foi o de 25 mm. Apenas um paciente ficou com shunt residual ao ecocardiograma de um mês e continua em seguimento. Não houve recidivas de eventos até o momento. Houve duas complicações menores e não houve óbitos. CONCLUSÕES: O dispositivo CARDIA UltraseptTM é seguro, de fácil manuseio e eficaz. Ainda necessita ser mais bem avaliado em casos mais complexos, como os forames ovais maiores e com aneurisma do septo atrial.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study is to report the early experience with the use of the new CARDIA UltraseptTM device for percutaneous occlusion of patent foramen ovale. METHODS: Patients with patent foramen ovale with previous embolic events, of any age or weight, or migraine with poor clinical control, were selected by transesophageal echocardiography. Efficacy criteria included lack of residual shunt at the transesophageal echocardiogram with microbubble testing after 6 months and no recurrence of neurologic events. No patients were excluded based on morphological patent foramen ovale criteria. RESULTS: From April 2011 to May 2012, 22 patients (6 males and 16 females) with ages ranging from 16 to 68 years were submitted to the occlusion procedure. Only one patient had no history of stroke or transient ischemic attack, but migraine with poor clinical response. None of the patients had atrial septal aneurysms. The device was implanted in all cases, 23 devices were used and the 25 mm device was used most often. Only one patient presented residual shunt at the 1-month follow-up echocardiogram and remains under observation. There have been no recurrences to date. There were two minor complications and no deaths. CONCLUSIONS: The CARDIA UltraseptTM device is safe, effective and easy to use. It must be further evaluated in more complex cases, such as larger patent foramen ovales and with atrial septal aneurysms.