Percutaneous transcatheter closure of interatrial septal defect in adults: procedural outcome and long-term results.

Background: Percutaneous transcatheter closure of patent foramen ovale (PFO) and atrial septal defect (ASD) has been shown to be feasible.

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of transcatheter interatrial septal shunt closure with prosthesis implantation in adults patients during long-term follow-up. In addition, the impact of thrombophilia and pulmonary hypertension on the outcome were investigated.

Early ischemic lesions following subarachnoid hemorrhage: common cold remedy as precipitating factor?

A 46-year-old woman presented with tetraplegia contrasting with a relatively preserved consciousness following aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Multiple ischemic lesions were detected by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), in the absence of vasospasm or signs of increased intracranial pressure. During the weeks before SAH, the patient had repeatedly used a nasal decongestant containing phenylephrine.

Possible overlap between reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome and symptomatic vasospasm after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.

A 34-year-old woman with a previous history of severe headache ("thunderclap") was admitted with a diagnosis of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). The patient developed symptomatic vasospasm on day 5 that resolved rapidly after having increased arterial blood pressure. She experienced also short-lasting excruciating headache.

Absence of recurrent stroke after percutaneous closure of patent foramen ovale despite residual right-to-left cardiac shunt assessed by transcranial Doppler.

Background: Percutaneous transcatheter closure of patent foramen ovale has been proposed to prevent recurrent strokes in young adults. Contrast transcranial Doppler ultrasonography provides a functional, semiquantitative evaluation of right-to-left cardiac shunt.

Aims: To evaluate the efficacy of percutaneous closure of patent foramen ovale in suppressing right-to-left shunt (assessed using transcranial Doppler) and in preventing secondary stroke.

Intravenous magnesium sulfate administration in a patient with refractory vasospasm following subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Objective: Magnesium sulfate is being investigated for the prevention or treatment of vasospasm following subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Patient: A 45-year-old woman suffered subarachnoid hemorrhage and developed after 8 days symptomatic vasospasm in the left middle cerebral artery (MCA) while she was receiving nimodipine prophylactically.

Methods And Results: Transcranial Doppler monitoring was performed.