Clinical Analysis of Stroke Patients with Patent Foramen Ovale: A Report of 12 Cases

Aim: To investigate the clinical manifestation of stroke patients with patent foramen ovale. Methods: 12 cases of stroke patients with patent foramen ovale diagnosed and treated from 2008 to 2010 were reviewed retrospectively. Results: Of 12 patients, two had hypertension, three had history of smoking. 10(83.3%) showed the PFO size≥2mm, 8(66.6%) were below 55 years old, 3(25.0%) had migraine. All these patients were examined by brain MRI, 7(58.3%) showed frontal subcortical leisions, 7(58.3%) showed parietal subcortical leisions, 7(58.3%) showed leisions in anterior circulation. Conclusion: Cryptogenic stroke patients with patent foramen ovale were younger,migraine was significantly associated with patent foramen ovale in these patients. Patients with patent foramen ovale size ≥2 mm have a significantly higher prevalence of stroke.