Risk of patient foramen ovale for thromboembolic events in all age groups

The association between a patent foramen ovale (PFO) and thromboembolic events in young patients has been reported. Autopsy data suggest that a PFO may be present in 20 to 35% of the population. To further assess the role of a PFO in patients with possible thromboembolic events, precordial and transesophageal contrast echocardiography was performed in 104 consecutive patients (age range 16 to 84 years) presenting with a stroke, transient ischemic attack or peripheral artery embolus (group I). These patients were compared with 94 consecutive patients (age range 23 to 82 years) undergoing transesophageal echocardiography for other reasons (group II). A PFO was found in 22 patients; 9 of 35 (26%) with an event but no risk factor (group Ia), 10 of 69 (14%) with an event but a recognized risk factor (group Ib), and 3 of 94 control patients (3.2%) (group II) (group Ia vs II: relative odds 10:1, p