Objective:To investigate the potential risk factors for cryptogenic stroke (CS) in patients with patent foramen ovale (PFO).Methods:Patients underwent PFO closure in the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, the Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University from June 2018 to December 2021 were enrolled retrospectively. Transesophageal echocardiography was used to evaluate the morphological characteristics of foramen ovale and right-to-left shunt (RLS). Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine the independent risk factors for CS in patients with PFO. Results:A total of 203 patients with PFO were enrolled. Their age was 41.9±14.3, and 116 patients (57.1%) were male. There were 102 patients in CS group and 101 patients in non-stroke group. The age, body mass index, systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure, and the constituent ratios of male, hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia and smoking of the CS group were significant higher than those of the non-stroke group (all P<0.05). The PFO channel of the CS group was longer, wider and more combined with resting RLS (all P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that systolic blood pressure (odds ratio [ OR] 1.065, 95% confidence interval [ CI] 1.022-1.111; P=0.003), PFO length ( OR 1.124, 95% CI 1.004-1.258; P=0.043) and resting RLS ( OR 5.449, 95% CI 2.283-13.004; P<0.001) were the independent risk factors for CS in patients with PFO. Conclusion:Systolic blood pressure, PFO length and the presence of resting RLS are the independent risk factors for CS in patients with PFO.

Cryptogenic stroke (CS) is a type of stroke that can not find the exact cause after using the standard clinical examination procedure of stroke. In recent years, many studies have shown that patent foramen ovale (PFO) is closely associated with CS, and its main pathogenesis is paradoxical embolism. In clinical practice, ultrasound is often used for PFO screening. In the context of PFO, the secondary prevention of CS includes drug therapy and PFO closure, but the choice of treatment is still controversial. Screening and evaluation of possible PFO will help to develop secondary prevention strategies for patients with CS, especially those who can benefit from PFO closure.