Incidence of Patent Foramen Ovale in Ischemic Stroke Patients: A Transcranial Doppler Study.
- Author:
Dae Il CHANG
1
;
Mi Sook LEE
;
Sang Hee CHO
;
Seon Hee BU
;
Se Hee CHUNG
;
Seong Hyuk HUH
;
Kang Uk YOON
;
Tae Beom AHN
;
Sung Sang YOON
;
Kyung Cheon CHUNG
Author Information
1. Department of Neurology, Kyunghee University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. dichang@khmc.or.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Patent foramen ovale;
Ischemic stroke
- MeSH:
Arteries;
Atherosclerosis;
Female;
Foramen Ovale, Patent*;
Humans;
Incidence*;
Male;
Middle Cerebral Artery;
Respiration;
Stroke*;
Valsalva Maneuver
- From:Journal of the Korean Neurological Association
2005;23(3):313-317
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: Patent foramen ovale (PFO) is increasingly being recognized in stroke patients. The capability of transcranial Doppler (TCD) to detect a PFO has been established. We studied the frequency of PFO in patients with ischemic stroke. METHODS: Eighty-nine patients with ischemic stroke (62 men, mean age: 56.5) consecutively underwent a contrast-enhanced TCD with monitoring of the bilateral middle cerebral arteries (MCA). The contrast solution, which consisted of 8 ml of normal saline, 1 ml of air, and 0.2 ml of patient's blood, was injected twice during normal breathing and the Valsalva maneuver. High intensity transient signals (HITS) were counted for 30 seconds after the injection. RESULTS: Patent foramen ovale was detected in 19 patients (21%). The mean age was similar in those with (55 years) and those without (57 years) PFO. Patent foramen ovale was more frequent among men (26%) than women (11%). There were no differences in the frequency of PFO among stroke subtypes (large artery atherosclerosis, 18%; small artery occlusion, 27%; cardioembolic, 27%; undetermined cause, 11%). CONCLUSIONS: Patent foramen ovale is common in patients with ischemic stroke of all subtypes.
