What question did this study set out to answer?

To determine the prevalence of patent foramen ovale in young adults with ischemic stroke and identify potential causes.

May 5, 1988New England Journal of Medicine

Prevalence of Patent Foramen Ovale in Patients with Stroke

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Why the study?

Is the prevalence of patent foramen ovale higher in young adults with ischemic stroke compared to a control group?

Key Points

To determine the prevalence of patent foramen ovale in young adults with ischemic stroke and identify potential causes.
Population studied includes 60 adults under 55 years old with ischemic stroke and normal cardiac examination.
Contrast echocardiography was used to detect patent foramen ovale in both stroke patients and a control group of 100 patients.
Prevalence rates were compared between groups and categorized by identifiable stroke causes.
Prevalence of patent foramen ovale was 40% in stroke patients compared to 10% in the control group (P<0.001).
Among stroke patients, 21% with identifiable causes, 40% with risk factors, and 54% with no identifiable cause had patent foramen ovale (P<0.10).
Findings suggest paradoxical embolism via patent foramen ovale may explain unexplained strokes in younger adults.

Structured PICO

Is the prevalence of patent foramen ovale higher in young adults with ischemic stroke compared to a control group?

Population

160 adults, comprising 60 adults under 55 years old with ischemic stroke and a normal cardiac examination, and 100 control patients.

Outcome

Prevalence of patent foramen ovale as detected by contrast echocardiography

Patent foramen ovale is significantly more prevalent in young adults with ischemic stroke, particularly those with cryptogenic stroke, suggesting paradoxical embolism as a potential mechanism.

Discussion

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Implication

Supports PFO assessment in young cryptogenic stroke; leaves open causal role and closure benefits pending RCTs.

Cite This Study

Lechat et al. (1988) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/69d56d5a75589c71d767d01d https://doi.org/10.1056/nejm198805053181802

Topics

Echocardiography

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Prevalence of Patent Foramen Ovale in Patients with Stroke

Key Points

Structured PICO

Discussion

Implication

Cite This Study

Topics

Prevalence of Patent Foramen Ovale in Patients with Stroke

Key Points

Structured PICO

Discussion

Implication

Cite This Study

Also Consider

Topics

Also Consider