Catheter closure of patent foramen ovale in patients with cryptogenic cerebrovascular accidents: initial experiences in Japan

Cardiovasc Interv Ther. 2014 Jan;29(1):11-7. doi: 10.1007/s12928-013-0193-9. Epub 2013 Jul 4.

Abstract

Although numerous studies have shown an association between a patent foramen ovale (PFO) and cryptogenic cerebrovascular accidents (CVA), there has been no definitive control study that demonstrated the benefit of percutaneous device closure of a PFO compared to medical therapy in patients with CVA. Additionally, few clinical data exist for Japanese patients in this field. We demonstrate the initial experiences in catheter closure of a PFO as secondary prevention of CVA in Japan. Catheter closure of a PFO was attempted in 7 patients who were diagnosed with cryptogenic CVA. Mean age at the procedure was 54 ± 19 years. The presence of spontaneous interatrial right-to-left shunts was demonstrated by transesophageal contrast echocardiography without Valsalva maneuver in all of the patients. Amplatzer Cribriform device (n = 4) or Amplatzer PFO Occluder (n = 3) was used for the procedure and was successfully deployed. Device-related complications were not observed at the time of the procedure or during the follow-up period (mean period of 16 ± 9 months). Catheter closure of a PFO could be safely performed with Amplatzer Cribriform or Amplatzer PFO Occluder. This procedure may contribute to prevention of recurrent cryptogenic CVA in Japanese patients.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Cardiac Catheterization / methods*
  • Cardiac Surgical Procedures / instrumentation*
  • Echocardiography, Transesophageal
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Foramen Ovale, Patent / complications
  • Foramen Ovale, Patent / diagnostic imaging
  • Foramen Ovale, Patent / surgery*
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Japan / epidemiology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Prosthesis Design
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Secondary Prevention / methods*
  • Septal Occluder Device*
  • Stroke / epidemiology
  • Stroke / etiology
  • Stroke / prevention & control*
  • Treatment Outcome