Details.
Percutaneous transcatheter closure of a patent foramen ovale to reduce the risk of recurrent ischemic stroke in predominantly 18 to 60 year old patients who have had a cryptogenic stroke due to presumed paradoxical embolism, following evaluation by a neurologist and cardiologist to exclude known causes of ischemic stroke. The 20-minute procedure is performed under light or conscious sedation and local anesthesia using fluoroscopy and intracardiac echocardiography. Patients are usually discharged the same or next day on a single antiplatelet agent.