NASA Logo

NTRS

NTRS - NASA Technical Reports Server

Back to Results
Characteristics of Patent Foramen Ovale Associated with Cryptogenic Stroke: A Biplane Transesophageal Echocardiography StudyPatent foramen ovale is associated with ischemic stroke in patients without a clearly identifiable etiology for stroke (cryptogenic stroke). Paradoxical embolization is thought to be a potential mechanism. However, patent foramen ovale is also found in patients with known cause of stroke. Therefore, using contrast transesophageal echocardiography, we characterized the patent foramen ovale in cryptogenic stroke patients to assess morphological factors that may contribute to paradoxical embolization. Methods: Contrast transesophageal echocardiographic studies of 74 consecutive patients referred for ischemic stroke were reviewed. Twenty-three patients with patent foramen ovale were identified. These patients were classified as having strokes of determined origin or cryptogenic strokes according to criteria developed for the Stroke Data Bank of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Separation of septum primum from secundum and the number of microbubbles appearing in left atrium were then quantitated. These parameters were compared between patients with cryptogenic stroke and those with known cause of stroke. Results: The patent foramen ovale dimension was significantly larger in patients with cryptogenic stroke compared with patients with an identifiable cause of stroke (2.1+/-1.7 mm versus 057+/-0.78 mm [mean+/-SD]; P<.01). The number of microbubbles was also greater in patients with cryptogenic stroke compared with patients with an identifiable cause of stroke (13.9+/-10.7 versus 1.62+/-0.8 [mean+/-SD]; P<.0005). Conclusions: Patients with cryptogenic stroke have larger patent foramen ovale with more extensive right-to-left inter-atrial shunting than patients with stroke of determined cause. Transesophageal echocardiographically identifiable characteristics of patent foramen ovale may be important in defining the clinical significance of individual patent foramina.
Document ID
20090004699
Acquisition Source
Headquarters
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Homma, S.
(Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center New York, NY, United States)
DiTullio, M. R.
(Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center New York, NY, United States)
Sacco, R. L.
(Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center New York, NY, United States)
Mihalatos, D..
(Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center New York, NY, United States)
LiMandri, G.
(Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center New York, NY, United States)
Mohr, J. P.
(Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center New York, NY, United States)
Date Acquired
August 24, 2013
Publication Date
March 1, 1994
Publication Information
Publication: Stroke
Publisher: American Heart Association
Volume: 25
Subject Category
Life Sciences (General)
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

Available Downloads

There are no available downloads for this record.
No Preview Available