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The percutaneous treatment of Patent Foramen Ovale, an effective and safe therapeutic choice

  • Research Article
  • Published:
Central European Journal of Medicine

Abstract

Introduction

The aim of our study is to evaluate the feasibility, safety and efficacy of the percutaneous closure of PFO (abnormal communication between the right and left atrium).

Methods

Between July 2009 and October 2012 percutaneous closure was performed in 37 patients. The presence of PFO was diagnosed through the use of ultrasound techniques: transcranial doppler with contrast (cTCD), transthoracic echocardiography(TTE) and transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). Follow-up was composed consisted of a Holter ECG 7 days after the closure with a 24 hour heart rhythm monitoring, to evaluate eventual arrhythmia cases and programmed controls which included a TTE at 1–3 months, TTE+ cTCD at 6–12 months, to evaluate the right positioning of the device and the complete closure of the defect.

Results

We obtained 100% of procedural success (correct and stable implantation of the device in a perfect position on the interatrial septum).No complications were recorded during the procedure and no new onset atrial fibrillation was detected in any patients after the PFO closure. The follow up with cTCD and TEE reported a closing rate of 86.7%. No new clinical cerebrovascular events occurred in treated patients until now.

Conclusion

Our experience describes the percutaneous PFO procedure as feasible, safe and effective with a high rate of procedural success, with an absence of significant adverse events and a high rate of complete closure.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Cardiovascular Disease, Centre for the Early Diagnosis of Preclinical and Multifocal Atherosclerosis and for Secondary Prevention — University of Palermo and Division of Cardiology — University Hospital “P. Giaccone”, Department of Internal Medicine and Cardiovascular Disease, Palermo, Italy

    S. Evola, R. L. Trovato, B. A. W. Kauroo, L. Alioto, V. Sucato, A. Quagliana, S. Magro, R. S. Tona, G. Novo, G. Andolina, P. Assennato & S. Novo

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  1. S. Evola
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  2. R. L. Trovato
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  3. B. A. W. Kauroo
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  4. L. Alioto
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  5. V. Sucato
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  6. A. Quagliana
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  7. S. Magro
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  8. R. S. Tona
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  9. G. Novo
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  10. G. Andolina
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  11. P. Assennato
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  12. S. Novo
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to R. L. Trovato.

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Cite this article

Evola, S., Trovato, R.L., Kauroo, B.A.W. et al. The percutaneous treatment of Patent Foramen Ovale, an effective and safe therapeutic choice. cent.eur.j.med 8, 638–643 (2013). https://doi.org/10.2478/s11536-013-0209-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/s11536-013-0209-y

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