Therapeutic value of patent foramen ovale closure for drug‐resistant epilepsy: A case series report

Abstract Objective Closure surgery of patent foramen ovale (PFO) has been found to effectively control cryptogenic stroke and migraine, but it is uncertain whether PFO closure could also alleviate epileptic seizures. This study aims to observe the therapeutic effect of PFO closure on epileptic seizures. Methods Since July 11th, 2017, in the neurology department of West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, we have been regularly monitoring patients with epilepsy who have undergone PFO closure. The patient's clinical information, such as frequency, duration, and severity of seizures, before and after surgery was recorded in detail as well as postoperative safety events. Results Of the 31 epilepsy patients who confirmed PFO observed (27 cases were drug‐resistant epilepsy, 87.10%), average age of surgery was 23.74 years, and 12 cases were female (38.71%). After one‐year follow‐up, 26 patients (83.87%) achieved remission of seizure frequency, and 22 of whom (70.97%) experienced a remission of more than 50%. Additionally, compared to before surgery, 22 cases (70.97%) reported a decrease in the average seizure duration, and 20 cases (64.52%) reported a reduction in seizure severity. In the seizure indicators of frequency, average duration and severity, significant differences were identified between preoperative and postoperative comparisons with all test p values were