The role of device closure of patent foramen ovale in patients with cryptogenic stroke

Physiological fetal vascular shunts and failure to regress: what the radiologist needs to know

The fetal circulation is characterized by the presence of three physiological vascular shunts - the ductus arteriosus, the foramen ovale and the ductus venosus. Acting in concert, these shunts preferentially stream blood flow in a pattern that maximizes efficiency of blood oxygenation by the maternofetal unit. Shortly following the transition to extrauterine life, a quick and predetermined succession of events results in closure of these embryological structures with consequent establishment of postnatal vascular flow patterns. While this transition is often seamless, the physiological shunts of the fetus occasionally fail to regress. Such failure to regress can occur in isolation or in association with other congenital malformations. This failed regression challenges the circulatory physiology of the neonate and might have implications for the optimum functioning of several organ systems. When symptomatic, these shunts are treated. Interventions, when undertaken, might be medical, endovascular or surgical. The radiologist's role continues to expand in the assessment of these shunts, in providing a roadmap for treatment and in prompt identification of treatment-related complications. This review is to familiarize radiologists with the embryology, pre- and post-treatment imaging appearances, and associated complications of persistent fetal vascular shunts.

Multiple paradoxical embolisms revealing a patent foramen ovale in a patient with deep venous thrombosis: A case report

Introduction

Paradoxical embolism is a rare medical phenomenon. Depending on the site of embolisation, it can cause different symptoms. Although rare, mesenteric ischemia can reveal paradoxical embolism, and the embolisation of two different sites is rarely described in the literature.

Case presentation

We report the observation of a patient with a table associating an acute mesenteric ischemia and an acute ischemia of the upper limb; whose the etiological assessment revealed a deep venous thrombosis of the lower limbs complicated by pulmonary embolism.

Clinical discussion

These paradoxical embolisms occurred through a patent foramen ovale. The diagnosis of the patent foramen ovale in this patient was revealed by transthoracic echocardiography, with bubble test. The patient benefited from an embolectomy of the superior mesenteric artery and an embolectomy using fogarty catheter by approching humeral artery at the elbow crease with good postoperative evolution. The patient was put on long-term anticoagulation with Acenocoumarol (because of low socio-economic level of our patient). We didn't recommended the closure of the PFO because of the small size of the shunt and especially because the patient refuses that procedure.

Conclusion

Paradoxical embolism remains a pathology rarely mentioned by clinicians, although it can engage the functional and vital prognosis of the patient, hence the interest of a good cardiac evaluation in any patient with embolic ischemia.

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PFO is most often asymptomatic but it can cause manifestations with variable degrees of severity.

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If it is not earyl diagnosed, or negligated, it can be life-threatining

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Paradoxical embolism is a pathological condition that requires a multidiscplinary management.

Sex- related differences in the factors associated with outcomes among patients with strokes of undetermined source: a hospital-based follow-up study

Objective: Sex-related differences are well established among stroke patients, including the incidence and prevalence of stroke being higher among men than among women. However, the sex-related factors for differences in the outcomes of strokes of undetermined source (SUSs) have not been well described, especially in the Chinese population. We assessed the sex-related differences in the factors associated with outcomes among patients with SUSs in China.Method: Between January 2011 and December 2018, we recruited 205 patients diagnosed with SUSs from Kailuan General Hospital (China). The clinical features, risk factors, and outcome data were collected for the patients at 3 and 12 months after their strokes.Results: There were higher frequencies of hyperlipidemia (27.8% vs. 26.4%), smoking (41.4% vs. 5.6%), and alcohol consumption (21.8% vs. 0%) for male patients than for female patients. However, women were more likely than men to have hypertension (63.9% vs. 46.6%), diabetes (27.8% vs. 20.3%), and atrial fibrillation (9.7% vs. 5.3%); they were also more likely to be obese (16.7% vs. 12.0%). There were no significant differences in outcome between the sexes. Among men, severe strokes were associated with higher case fatality and disability risks at 12 months after stroke onset; hyperlipidemia was a risk factor for recurrence within 3 months of the initial stroke. Among women, severe strokes also increased the risk of disability; in women, high total cholesterol (TC) and age were associated with poor outcomes.Conclusion: The factors associated with outcomes in SUS differed by sex. For male patients, more severe stroke and hyperlipidemia were associated with poor outcomes in SUS. Risk factors for poor outcomes in female patients were stroke severity, age, and TC level. These findings suggest that taking measures to manage blood lipid levels and severe stroke among patients with SUS is important for both male and female patients and is crucial for reducing the burden of stroke in China.