Management of patent foramen ovale in cryptogenic stroke

Abstract

There is currently no consensus on the optimal management of cryptogenic stroke in the presence of a patent foramen ovale (PFO). Some physicians do not believe in the added value of PFO closure in cryptogenic stroke, whereas, for others, cryptogenic stroke represents a situation where PFO closure would be the best management. Because of a lack of well-designed randomized trials, guidelines do not provide a clear answer. Therefore, the cardiological and neurovascular societies in Belgium decided to write an attempt at an expert opinion paper.