Interventional Closure of Patent Foramen Ovale in Patients with paradoxical Cerebral Embolism with Amplatzer PFO Occluder

Percutanous transcatheter closure has been proposed as an alternative to surgical closure or long-term anticoagulation in patients with presumed paradoxical embolism and patent formen ovale (PFO). We report our mid-term results of two symptomatic patients (29 and 47 year old) who underwent percutaneous transcatheter closure of PFO after at least two events of cerebral ischemia; one embolic event had occurred under antiplatelet therapy. Percutaneous transcatheter closure was technically successful in all two patients (100%). For both patients Amplatzer PFO occluder measuring 25 mm in diameter were used. Complete occlusion by colour Doppler and transesophageal contrast echocardiography investigation was approved in both after procedure and at 3 months follow-up period after implantation, and no residual shunt was seen at the follow-up. Mean fluoroscopy time was 16.7 minutes and in hospital follow-up was uneventful. At a mean follow-up of 3 months no recurrent embolic neurological event was observed. Transcatheter closure of PFO with Amplatzer PFO occluder devices is a safe and effective therapy for patients with previous paradoxical embolism PFO. Percutaneous closure is associated with high success rate, low incidence of hospital complications, and no future cerebral ischemic events.