BACKGROUND: Stroke in young patients is frequently associated with a patent foramen ovale (PFO). Controversy exists over whether the PFO is a cause, a risk factor, or an incidental finding. Estimating the individualized risk of stroke recurrence has ...
BACKGROUND: Right to left shunt (RLS), including patent foramen ovale, is a recognized risk factor for stroke. RLS/patent foramen ovale diagnosis is made by transthoracic echocardiography (TTE), which is insensitive, transesophageal echocardiography,...
BACKGROUND: Intracardiac or pulmonary right-to-left shunt (RLS) is a common cardiac anomaly associated with an increased risk of neurological disorders, specifically cryptogenic stroke. Saline-contrasted transthoracic echocardiography (scTTE) is ofte...