Seven-year follow-up of percutaneous closure of patent foramen ovale

• Background: Observational studies favor percutaneous closure of patent foramen ovale (PFO) over medical treatment to reduce recurrent stroke while randomized trials fail to demonstrate significant superiority of percutaneous PFO closure. Few long-term studies are available post PFO closure. This study reports long-term clinical outcomes after percutaneous PFO closure. Methods: Between 1997 and 2006, 86 consecutive eligible patients with cerebrovascular events, presumably related to PFO, underwent percutaneous PFO closure. All 86 patients were invited to a long-term follow-up, which was carried out during 2011 and 2012. Results: Percutaneous PFO closure was successfully performed in 85 of 86 patients. The follow-up rate was 100%. No cardiovascular or cerebrovascular deaths occurred. Two patients (both women) died from lung cancer during follow-up. Follow-up visits were conducted for 64 patients and the remaining 20 patients were followed up by phone. The mean follow-up time was 7.3. years (5 to 12.4. years). Mean age at PFO closure was 49. years. One patient had a minor stroke one month after PFO closure and a transient ischemic attack (TIA) two years afterwards. One other patient suffered from a TIA six years after closure. No long-term device-related complications were observed. Conclusions: Percutaneous PFO closure was associated with very low risk of recurrent stroke and is suitable in most patients. We observed no mortality and no long-term device-related complications related to PFO closure, indicating that percutaneous PFO closure is a safe and efficient treatment even in the long term. © 2013 Elsevier B.V.

Ämnesord

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Kardiologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Cardiac and Cardiovascular Systems (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Cryptogenic stroke

Long-term follow-up

Patent foramen ovale (PFO)

PFO closure

acetylsalicylic acid

clopidogrel

dipyridamole

warfarin

adult

article

atrioventricular block

computer assisted tomography

echocardiography

female

follow up

human

major clinical study

male

middle aged

nuclear magnetic resonance imaging

patent foramen ovale

percutaneous closure

priority journal

risk factor

safety

septal occluder

surgical technique

survival

transesophageal echocardiography

transient ischemic attack

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