학술논문

Is the search for right-to-left shunt still worthwhile?
Document Type
Article
Source
Acta Neurologica Scandinavica. Apr2016, Vol. 133 Issue 4, p281-288. 8p.
Subject
*HEART abnormalities
*DISEASE prevalence
*ETIOLOGY of diseases
*STROKE
*BRAIN imaging
Language
ISSN
0001-6314
Abstract
Objectives Patent foramen ovale ( PFO) is a common disembryogenic defect with well-attested prevalence but dubious etiopathogenetic linkage with cryptogenic stroke and different clinical conditions. Transcranial color-coded Doppler ( TCCD) assures high accuracy in diagnosing right-to-left shunt ( RLS) and its functional aspects. Aim of the study was to evaluate RLS prevalence and degree in subjects submitted to TCCD for conditions theoretically associated or caused by paradoxical embolism to the brain. Methods PFO assessment, performed in 10 major diagnostic categories and a control group, followed a standardized protocol with a 10 or 20 microbubbles ( MB) cutoff to identify any or only large RLS, respectively. Results Among 2113 patients, a significant larger RLS prevalence was found in stroke (53.3%), TIA (45.7%) and migraine with aura (39.7%) when compared with non-migraineurs controls (25.5%). RLS degree was significantly higher in stroke and TIA patients: The ROC curve from MB load data helped to identify new cutoff values for both normal breathing (42 MB) and Valsalva (139 MB) tests. From logistic regression, a family history for PFO, ASA, and male gender appeared independent predictors of a RLS. By contrast, RLS seemed independent of white matter abnormalities presence on brain neuroimaging or stroke mimics. Conclusions In addition to recently defined criteria, genetically determined inheritable traits and epidemiologic characteristics (male gender) should be taken into account when assessing PFO and related cerebrovascular risk profile. A newly defined threshold in TCCD MB count is suggested to discriminate shunts related to stroke and TIA from innocent ones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]