Stroke as a complication of congenital heart disease

Patent foramen ovale is a common finding in the general population. It is associated with an increased risk of stroke, but it may not have a significant effect on recurrent stroke risk in medically treated patients. Recently, many questions have arisen with respect to best treatment for preventing recurrent stroke. Some data from a clinical trial of anticoagulation compared with antiplatelet therapy support antiplatelet treatment for secondary prevention. There are not enough data currently to support surgical or percutaneous closure of patent foramen ovale for stroke prevention.