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.

Clinical efficacy of closure operation guided by transthoracic echocardiography with simply delivery sheath for patent foramen ovale / 局解手术学杂志

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of percutaneous closure of foramen ovale guided by transthoracic echocardio-graphy with simply delivery sheath.Methods The clinical data of patients with patent foramen ovale underwent interventional closure and percutaneous closure guided by transthoracic echocardiography with simply delivery sheath in our hospital from January 2020 to December 2022 were analyzed retrospectively,the patients were divided into interventional closure group(40 cases)and simply delivery sheath group(39 cases).The operation time,incidence of surgical complications,and surgical success rates of patients in the two groups were compared.The closure effect were evaluated by ultrasound immediately after surgery.All the patients were followed up for 6 months after surgery to evaluate remission of the symptoms.Results The surgical success rate of simply delivery sheath group(100%)was higher than that of interventional closure group(90.0%),with statistically significant difference(P<0.05).The operation time of simply delivery sheath group was longer than that of interventional closure group,with statistically significant difference(P<0.05).One patient in the interventional closure group had small amount of pericardial effusion during the operation.Two patients had decreased blood pressure and slowed heart rate in simply delivery sheath group,and symptoms disappeared after treatment.There was no significant difference in the incidence of complications between the two groups(P>0.05).After 6-month follow-up,all occluders were in good position and no residual leakage was found.The symptoms of headache or dizziness disappeared in 28 patients in interventional closure group,significantly relieved in 8 patients;the symptoms of headache or dizziness disappeared in 30 patients in simply delivery sheath group,and significantly relieved in 9 patients.Conclusion Percutaneous closure for patent foramen ovale under the guidence of transthoracic echocardiography with simply delivery sheath is safe and feasible with satisfactory efficacy and higher successful rate without radiation hazard.It is worthy of clinical promotion.

Progress in research on diseases related to patent foramen ovale in 2023 / 中国介入心脏病学杂志

@#Patent foramen ovale(PFO)is a congenital heart disease with a relatively high prevalence in the population.Past studies have clarified its association with strokes and recognized the significance of PFO closure for PFO-related strokes.In recent years,research on diseases related to PFO has gradually increased and deepened our understanding.Meanwhile,the number of closure treatments for PFO in China has also significantly increased.This article reviews the latest research progress in the PFO field for the year 2023,mainly including the expansion of the spectrum of PFO-related diseases(such as epilepsy,unexplained syncope,etc.),exploration of the mechanisms of disease,and means of risk assessment.Regarding PFO closure treatment,this article introduces the latest research results concerning the effects of closure and prognosis,as well as the relationship between closure treatment and atrial fibrillation.China has always been in a leading position in the development of new devices for PFO closure,and this article also introduces the latest achievements in this area.

Analysis of the correlation between the anatomical features of patent foramen ovale and right to left shunt / 中国现代医生

@#Objective To investigate the correlation between the anatomical structure of patent foramen ovale(PFO)observed by transesophageal echocardiography(TEE)and the right to left shunt(RLS)grade of contrast-enhanced transthoracic echocardiography(c-TTE).Methods Ninety cases in which the presence of PFO was suggested by TEE examination as a diagnostic criterion from November 2021 to December 2022 in the First Hospital of Nanchang were retrospectively analysed.According to the c-TTE results of patients,the RLS was divided into 4 levels,and the correlation between PFO structural characteristics and RLS grading was analyzed.Results There was a positive correlation between PFO diameter size and RLS grading in resting state(r=0.381,P<0.05);The PFO diameter of patients with hypermobile interatrial septum(HIS)was larger and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05);The PFO diameter of patients with persistent RLS was larger than that of excited phase patients,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05);There was no significant difference in RLS shunt degree between patients with long tunnel and those without long tunnel;There was no significant difference in RLS grade and PFO diameter size under Valsalva state.Conclusion Research has shown that certain anatomical structures of PFO interact with RLS grading,and PFO anatomical structures can also interact with each other(the opening diameter of the foramen ovale with HIS is larger);At the same time,TEE can clearly show the morphological characteristics of PFO and predict the degree of RLS,so as to further evaluate the possibility of ischemic stroke in patients with PFO,and provide more evidence for the indications for foramen ovale closure.

Platypnea-orthodeoxia syndrome: an intriguing perioperative hypoxemia case report

Abstract Platypnea-orthodeoxia syndrome (POS) is a rare condition of positional hypoxemia and dyspnea. The following is a case of hypoxemia for no obvious reason in the perioperative scenario. A 70-year-old male patient was submitted to a radical prostatectomy. On several occasions after anesthetic induction, peripheral oxygen saturation decreased without any understandable cause. In the postanesthesia care unit, severe hypoxemia occurred in the upright position, oddly correcting with recumbency. An echocardiography showed a right-to-left intracardiac shunt through a patent foramen ovale with no pulmonary hypertension, establishing POS. Achieving this diagnosis required a broad workup with a high degree of suspicion.

Migraña poscierre percutáneo de defectos septales auriculares / Migraine after percutaneous closure of atrial septal defects / Enxaqueca após fechamento percutâneo de comunicação interatrial

La migraña es una enfermedad que se ha visto asociada a defectos septales auriculares y a su cierre percutáneo, estipulándose en la literatura que sería una rara complicación, pero la evidencia al respecto es escasa. Se realizó una revisión narrativa sobre definiciones, epidemiología, fisiopatología y tratamiento de la migraña y de la entidad migraña poscierre percutáneo de defectos del septum auricular, incluyendo trabajos observacionales (retrospectivos, prospectivos), estudios randomizados, reportes de casos, artículos de revisión y metaanálisis existentes en PubMed y Cochrane, para aportar al conocimiento de esta entidad.

Migraine is a disease that has been associated with atrial septal defects and its percutaneous closure, stipulating in the literature that it would be a rare complication, but evidence is scarce. A narrative review was conducted on definitions, epidemiology, pathophysiology and treatment of migraine and the migraine entity after percutaneous closure of atrial septum defects, including observational studies (retrospective, prospective), randomized studies, case reports, review articles and meta-analyses existing in PubMed and Cochrane, to contribute to the knowledge of this entity.

A enxaqueca é uma doença que tem sido associada a defeitos do septo atrial e seu fechamento percutâneo, estipulando na literatura que seria uma complicação rara, mas as evidências são escassas. Foi realizada uma revisão narrativa sobre definições, epidemiologia, fisiopatologia e tratamento da enxaqueca e da entidade migranosa após fechamento percutâneo de defeitos do septo atrial, incluindo estudos observacionais (retrospectivos, prospectivos), estudos randomizados, relatos de caso, artigos de revisão e metanálises existentes no PubMed e Cochrane, para contribuir com o conhecimento dessa entidade.

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.

Research progress on relationship between vestibular migraine and patent foramen ovale / 中风与神经疾病杂志

@#Vestibular migraine and patent foramen ovale are closely related conditions with linked incidence rates.This systematic review presents the potential pathophysiological mechanisms underlying the association of patent foramen ovale with vestibular migraine，delves into the clinical features and classifications of vestibular migraine as well as the shunt status and anatomical features of patent foramen ovale，and also discusses the outcome of vestibular migraine following a patent foramen ovale closure.Vasoactive peptide，microemboli，inflammation，and genetic theories have been proposed for the association of the two conditions.Although most studies support a link between vestibular migraine and patent foramen ovale，evidence is lacking to prove that patients with vestibular migraine can gain significant benefits from a patent foramen ovale closure，and moreover，the surgery-related serious adverse events and risks，such as atrial fibrillation and new-onset headache，need careful consideration.

Recent advance in pathogenesis and treatments of neurological complications related to patent foramen ovale / 中华神经医学杂志

Patent foramen ovale (PFO) is the most prevalent congenital heart disease, often accompanied by neurological symptoms as migraine, unexplained dizziness, and even anxiety and depression. Recent research findings indicate that the pathogenesis of neurological complications related to PFO involves abnormal embolism hypothesis, vasoactive substance hypothesis, impaired cerebral blood flow regulation and genetic inheritance. Treatments include primarily encompass pharmacological intervention and foramen ovale occlusion. This article summarizes the aforementioned research progress in order to provide clinical guidance for managing nervous system complications related to PFO.

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.

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.

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.

Tromboembolia pulmonar e infarto de miocardio embólico en paciente con trombo en tránsito a través de foramen oval permeable / Pulmonary embolism and embolic myocardial infarction in a patient with thrombi in transit through a patent foramen ovale

Resumen Se presenta el caso de una paciente ingresada por cuadro clínico de infarto agudo de miocardio con elevación del segmento ST. Tras la realización de una coronariografía emergente en la que se evidencia un trombo en la arteria coronaria derecha, sin objetivar lesiones ateroscleróticas, es diagnosticada de infarto de probable origen embólico. Tras realizar un ecocardiograma transtorácico, se detecta la presencia de trombos en las cavidades derechas e izquierdas del corazón. Por ello se realiza angiografía por tomografía computarizada con protocolo de embolia pulmonar, que confirma la presencia de embolia pulmonar bilateral masiva. Tras esto, se repitió el ecocardiograma transtorácico, hallándose un aneurisma del septo interauricular, con aparente protrusión de una masa trombótica a través de él. Se inició terapia anticoagulante con buena evolución por parte de la paciente, habiendo desaparecido los trombos en el ecocardiograma con test de burbujas que se realizó días después, en el que se demostró la presencia de un foramen oval permeable. Con la presentación de este caso se pretende, en primer lugar, ilustrar una afección que en contadas ocasiones se puede objetivar mediante prueba de imagen, y en segundo lugar, hacer una breve revisión del diagnóstico y el manejo del foramen oval permeable como parte del estudio de fuente embólica.

Abstract The authors describe a case of a patient admitted with ST elevation myocardial infarction. An emergent coronariography was done, showing a thrombus in the right coronary artery, without evidence of atherosclerotic lesions in the coronary bed. Due to this, she is diagnosed with probable embolic myocardial infarction. When she was performed a transthoracic echocardiography, the presence of free thrombi was detected in right and left chambers of the heart. Due to this, a CT angiography with pulmonary embolism protocol was done, confirming the presence of a massive bilateral pulmonary embolism. After that, a new trans-thoracic echocardiography was done, finding an aneurism at interatrial septum, with an apparent protrusion of thrombotic mass through it. The decision taken was initiating therapeutic anticoagulation, having the patient a positive evolution with disappearance of thrombi in the bubble test performed days later, and showing the presence of a patent foramen ovale. The purpose of the presentation of this case report is, firstly, illustrating an entity which in very few occasions can be demonstrated by imaging tests, and secondly, making a brief review of the diagnosis and management of the patent foramen ovale as a part of the study of embolic sources.

Recent advance in patent foramen ovale related cryptogenic stroke / 中华神经医学杂志

Patent foramen ovale (PFO) is a congenital cardiac disease that occurs in up to 25% of the general adults, and up to 46% of young adults with cryptogenic stroke(CS). PFO is associated with several diseases, the most important of which is stroke. Stroke associated with PFO is usually classified as CS, and currently paradoxical embolism caused by PFO is believed to be the most common pathogenic mechanism. The features, diagnoses and treatments of PFO related CS have been paid more and more attention. This article reviews the related research advance in recent years, to provide new clinical evidences and strategies for the diagnoses and treatments of CS associated with PFO.

Recent advance in patent foramen ovale closure for treatment of migraine / 中华神经医学杂志

Migraine is a common disease that can cause disability, whose pathogeneses included traditional theory of vascular origin, cortical diffusion inhibition and trigeminal neurovascular reflex. Recent studies have found that there is a close relationship between patent foramen ovale (PFO) and migraine. With the development of cardiac catheterization technology, PFO closure has been used in treatment of migraine. A number of clinical studies have shown that PFO closure improves the symptoms of patients with migraine, especially the onset of migraine with aura. This article will review the research progress of PFO closure in the treatment of migraine.

Historia natural del cierre percutáneo de foramen oval permeable / Natural history of patent foramen ovales closure

INTRODUCCIÓN: El cierre percutáneo del foramen oval permeable (FOP) se ha posicionado como el tratamiento de elección para la prevención secundaria de pacientes con infartos encefálicos (IE) criptogénicos asociados a FOP. OBJETIVO: Revisar los cierres de FOP realizados en nuestra institución, evaluando las características clínicas y del procedimiento, los resultados a mediano plazo luego del procedimiento y la tendencia en el número de intervenciones durante el período estudiado. MÉTODOS: Se incluyeron 101 pacientes consecutivos en que se realizó cierre de FOP, con una mediana de seguimiento de 4,6 años. Se analizaron las características basales de los pacientes, la indicación del cierre de FOP, el éxito del procedimiento y la presencia de shunt residual en ecocardiografía al año. Se realizó una encuesta telefónica estructurada a todos los pacientes, en la cual se preguntó por nuevo IE o crisis isquémica transitoria (CIT), otros eventos cardiovasculares y la presencia de sangrados. El seguimiento fue completado en el 95%. Se calculó el puntaje RoPE ("Risk of Paradoxical Embolism") el cual provee una estimación de la posibilidad de que ese IE se haya debido al FOP y del riesgo de repetir un nuevo IE en caso de no cerrar el FOP para cada paciente. RESULTADOS: La edad promedio fue de 49,1±13,7 años, con 53% mujeres. Sólo en 3 pacientes se diagnosticó una trombofilia. En 96 pacientes la indicación fue para prevención de embolía paradojal e IE (74% IE, 17% CIT y 4% embolía periférica), mientras que en 5% por síndrome de ortodeoxia/platipnea. El cierre de FOP fue exitoso en todos los pacientes. Shunt residual en ecocardiograma al año se observó en 5% - ninguno de estos pacientes presentó un nuevo evento encefálico durante el seguimiento. Se registraron 2 nuevos IE (4 IE por 1000 pacientes/año) y 1 nueva CIT (2 CIT por 1000 pacientes/año) en el seguimiento, con un promedio de presentación de 3,6 años post procedimiento. Esta tasa de eventos fue significativamente menor a lo predicho por el puntaje RoPE en nuestra cohorte. Se observó un marcado aumento en el número de procedimientos desde el año 2017 en adelante. CONCLUSIONES: En nuestra cohorte, el cierre de FOP fue un procedimiento exitoso y seguro. Se asoció a una baja tasa de nuevos eventos cerebrales, marcadamente menor a lo estimado por el puntaje de riesgo actualmente disponible (RoPE).

INTRODUCTION: The percutaneous closure of a patent foramen ovale (PFO) has been established as the preferred treatment for those with an ischemic stroke (IS) and associated PFO. AIMS: To review the PFO closure experience at our institution, characterizing the patients and procedures, mid-term results and the trend in the number of interventions during the study period. METHODS: One hundred and one consecutive patients undergoing PFO closure were included, with a median follow-up of 4.6 years. Baseline demographics, PFO closure indications, procedural success rates and residual shunt at 1-year were recorded. A telephonic survey was performed to complete follow-up, asking for new IS or transient ischemic attacks (TIA), other cardiovascular events and bleeding. Follow-up was completed by 95%. The RoPE score was calculated for each patient, providing an estimate of the chance a given IS being due to a PFO and the risk of a new event when the defect is not closed. RESULTS: Mean age was 49.1±13.7 years and 53% were females. Whereas the indication for PFO closure was paradoxical embolism in 96 patients (74% IS, 17% TIA and 4% peripheral embolism), in 5 it was for platypnea-orthodeoxia syndrome. All patients had a successful PFO closure procedure. Residual shunt at 1 year was found in 5% - yet, none of these patients experienced a new stroke during the study period. During follow-up there were 2 new IS (4 IS per 1,000 patients/year) and 1 new TIA (2 TIA per 1,000 patients/year), with a mean incidence time of 3.6 years after the procedure. This rate of new events was significantly lower than the one predicted by the RoPE score. From 2017 onwards, there was a marked increase in the number of procedures performed at our institution. CONCLUSION: In this cohort, PFO closure was a successful and safe procedure. It was associated to a low rate of new cerebral events during mid-term follow-up, markedly lower than the RoPE predicted rate.

A single center study on the correlation between Cryptogenic stroke and right-to-left shunt by contrast enhanced transcranial doppler in Liaoning province / 中风与神经疾病杂志

@#Objective　To investigate the prevalence of right-to-left shunt（RLS） in cryptogenic stroke patients and analyze the relationship between cryptogenic stroke and RLS. Methods　We enrolled 44 cryptogenic stroke patients between 18-55 years old as case grope and 33 healthy volunteers as control group，using contrast enhanced transcranial doppler（cTCD） and contrast transthoracic echocardiography（cTTE） for diagnosis of RLS and grade，the positive rate of the two groups were statistically analyzed. Results　In the case group，the positive rate of RLS was 47.7%（21 /44），of which large shunt accounted for 27.3%（12/44）. In the control group，the positive rate of RLS was 30.3%（10 /33），of which large shunt accounted for 9%（3/33）. Comparison of two groups of the total positive rate，the total positive rate of case group was same to the control group，there was not statistically significant difference（χ2=2.380，P=0.123） ．Large shunt rate in case group was significantly higher than the control group（χ2=3.974，P=0.042）. Conclusion　cTCD is a responsible approach to diagnose RLS. Cryptogenic stroke is related to RLS，and the large shunt may be the important cause of cryptogenic stroke，which should be paid more attention to.