Percutaneous Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO) closure in young patients with both cryptogenic brain infarction and PFO associated with Atrial Septal Aneurysm (ASA).

Background: To assess the safety and efficacy of percutaneous patent foramen ovale (PFO) closure for the prevention of recurrent stroke in high-risk patients.

Methods And Results: Between January 2002 and March 2005, 40 patients (65% female), mean (SD) age 43 (10) years were identified using the following inclusion criteria: <60 years, recent brain infarction (<3 months), combination of PFO plus atrial septal aneurysm (ASA) and exclusion of any other thromboembolic cause. Percutaneous PFO closure was performed under general anaesthesia and under the guidance of transoesophageal echocardiography (TEE).