Short-term results of percutaneous closure of patent foramen ovale
guided by transoesophageal echocardiography in patients with cryptogenic
stroke: A retrospective study
Abstract
Background: This study aimed to assess the short-term (12
months) results of PFO occlusion guided by transoesophageal
echocardiography (TEE) and the results of regular transthoracic
ultrasound foaming test (UFT). Methods: Data of 75 patients who
underwent interventional therapy for PFO and CS were retrospectively
analysed. The patients were grouped according to their preoperative UFT
results: group A, small volume of right-to-left shunts; group B,
moderate volume of right-to-left shunts; and group C, large volume of
right-to-left shunts. All patients were treated with an Amplatzer
occluder under TEE guidance. UFT follow-up was conducted regularly until
12 months after surgery. Results: No remarkable differences in
preoperative data, length of hospital stay, or operative time were noted
between the groups. Length of the PFO and diameter of the occluder
differed between the groups: group A=group Bp<0.001). One
patient in group C developed recurrent stroke 11 months postoperatively.
Two patients in group C developed atrial arrhythmia, which improved
after 3 months of antiarrhythmic treatment. However, 19 patients still
had positive UFT results 12 months postoperatively. Furthermore, the
positive UFT rate 12 months postoperatively differed between the groups:
group A=group Bp<0.05). Conclusions: In patients with
PFO and CS, interventional therapy guided by TEE could lead to
satisfactory short-term (12 months) outcomes. A longer PFO and
preoperative large-volume shunt were negatively associated with a
negative UFT rate 12 months postoperatively. Further studies are
required to clarify the relationship between positive UFT results
postoperatively and stroke recurrence.