Cryptogenic stroke in patients with patent foramen ovale: potential mechanisms and prevention strategies / 国际脑血管病杂志

ABSTRACT

Patent foramen ovale (PFO) is a congenital heart disease that occurs in about 25% of healthy adults. In recent years, more and more studies have shown that PFO is closely associated with cryptogenic stroke (CS). Although it is currently believed that paradoxical embolism is one of the main mechanisms of the pathogenesis of CS, but the exact mechanism is still controversial. In addition, the treatment of CS in patients with PFO is also the focus of controversy. Recent clinical trials have shown that PFO occlusion is significantly better than drug therapy alone in preventing stroke recurrence, especially for patients with a large right-to-left shunt and atrial septal tumor. This article reviews the potential mechanisms and prevention strategies of CS in patients with PFO.