Catheter-Based PFO Closure: Safety and Efficacy

Objective: Given the higher risk of thromboembolic events in patients with Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO) as a source of paradoxical emboli, we sought to evaluate the safety and efficacy of PFO device closure in terms of procedure complications and thromboembolic event recurrence. Methods: Forty-three patients with a prior history of cryptogenic stroke underwent device deployment with fluoroscopy and under the guidance of echocardiography. Two different device types were used: The American Amplatzer in79% patients and The Figulla in the remaining 21%, with the size of devices ranging from18 to35. Results: The study population consisted of 47% female and 53% male at a mean average age of 42 years. The mean follow-up period was 29 months. The rate of successful closure and no residual shunt during the procedure or immediately afterward was around 95/3%. After 23 months’ follow up, the rate of success and residual shunt stood at 83.7% and 16.2%. No mortality, tamponade or perforation was seen after the procedure. Only five patients (11, 63%) experienced recurrence of cerebrovascular events which was not PFO ?related in four of them. Conclusion: PFO device closure can be considered a preferred method over surgery due to its efficacy and lower complication rate.