Analysis of the occurrence of patent foramen ovale in young patients with ischemic stroke / 中国脑血管病杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective: To investigate the occurrence of patent foramen ovale (PFO) in young patients with ischemic stroke. Methods: A total of 198 consecutive young patients with ischemic stroke were selected from either the outpatient or inpatient department of Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University from October 2006 to January 2010. They were divided into a PFO group (n = 125) and a non-PFO group (n =73) according to whether the existence of PFO on tranesophageal echocardiography. The occurrence of PFO was observed by tranesophageal echocardiography and right heart contrast echocardiography. The examinations of the related risk factors were performed in all the patients. Results: Circled digit oneThe patients in the PFO group were younger than those in the non-PFO group (37±10 vs. 43±10). The diffe-rence was statistically significant (P<0.05). Circled digit twoThe stroke-related risk factors, such as the proportions of patients with hypertension, diabetes mellitus, smoking history, and hypercholesterolemia in the PFO group were lower than those in the non-PFO group. The differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). Circled digit three Eighteen patients (14.4%) were complicated with atrial septal aneurysm in the PFO group, and only 5 patients(6.8%) in the non-PFO group. The difference was statistically significant (P=0.018). Circled digit fourThe proportion of patients without any risk factors in the PFO group was higher than that in the non-PFO group. The difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusion: PFO may be an important cause of ischemic stroke in young patients.