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. 2016 Dec 15;4(4):613-618.
doi: 10.3889/oamjms.2016.113. Epub 2016 Oct 5.

Transcatheter Closure of Patent Foramen Ovale: A Single Center Experience

Ivan Milev  1 , Planinka Zafirovska  1 , Zan Zimbakov  1 , Shpend Idrizi  1 , Vilma Ampova-Sokolov  1 , Emilija Gorgieva  1 , Liljana Ilievska  1 , Goce Tosheski  1 , Nikola Hristov  1 , Ljubica Georgievska-Ismail  2 , Tanja Anguseva  1 , Zan Mitrev  1
Affiliations

Transcatheter Closure of Patent Foramen Ovale: A Single Center Experience

Ivan Milev et al. Open Access Maced J Med Sci. .

Abstract

Background: Percutaneous transcatheter closure (PTC) of patent foramen ovale (PFO) is implicated in cryptogenic stroke, transitional ischemic attack (TIA) and treatment of a migraine.

Aim: Our goal was to present our experience in the interventional treatment of PFO, as well as to evaluate the short and mid-term results in patients with closed PFO.

Material and methods: Transcatheter closure of PFO was performed in 52 patients (67.3% women, mean age 40.7 ± 11.7 years). Patients were interviewed for subjective grading of the intensity of headaches before and after the PFO closure.

Results: During 2 years of follow-up, there was no incidence of new stroke, TIA and/or syncope. Follow-up TCD performed in 35 patients showed complete PFO closure in 20 patients (57.1%). Out of 35 patients, 22 (62.9%) reported having a migraine before the procedure with an intensity of headaches at 8.1 ± 1.9 on a scale from 1 to 10. During 2 years of follow-up, symptoms of a migraine disappeared in 4 (18.2%) and the remaining 18 patients reported the significant decrease in intensity 4.8 ± 2.04 (p = 0.0001). In addition, following PFO closure the incidence of the headaches decreased significantly (p = 0.0001).

Conclusions: Percutaneous transcatheter closure of PFO is a safe and effective procedure showing mid-term relief of neurological symptoms in patients as well as significant reduction of migraine symptoms.

Keywords: a migraine; cerebrovascular insult; interventional closure; patent foramen ovale; transcatheter closure.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Transcranial doppler ultrasound (TCD) in a patient with large PFO (over 40 bubbles)
Figure 2
Figure 2
Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) in a patient with PFO
Figure 3
Figure 3
Percutaneous implantation of a PFO occluder
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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