Prevalence of Pelvic Vein Pathology in Patients with Cryptogenic Stroke and Patent Foramen Ovale Undergoing MRV Pelvis.

Background: A substantial proportion of ischemic strokes has no any identified underlying cause. Notably, the prevalence of a patent foramen ovale (PFO) is increased in cryptogenic stroke (CS) populations, which may serve as a conduit for paradoxical emboli originating from deep vein thrombosis (DVT) including the pelvic veins. Yet, there are no published guidelines for the assessment of pelvic veins as part of the stroke workup and few studies have systematically investigated pelvic veins as a potential source for paradoxical emboli in CS patients.