Transcatheter closure of patent foramen ovale in patients with cryptogenic stroke.

Background: Paradoxical embolism due to the presence of patent foramen ovale (PFO) is a well-established possible mechanism of ischaemic stroke of unknown origin. Mechanical sealing of the interatrial septum seems to be the most effective method for the prevention of stroke recurrences.

Aim: To assess prospectively the short- and mid-term results of transcatheter closure of PFO in consecutive patients with a history of cryptogenic ischaemic stroke.

Staged transcatheter closure of chronic postinfarction ventricular septal defects with the Amplatzer septal occluder.

Ventricular septal rupture is a serious complication of myocardial infarction with an extremely poor outcome. There are single reports of transcatheter closure of postmyocardial septal defects and clinical experience is limited. This paper reports on a successful staged transcatheter closure of two chronic postmyocardial defects using the Amplatzer septal occluder in a 52-year-old male.