MedLink Neurology Podcast is delighted to feature selected episodes from BrainWaves, courtesy of James E Siegler MD, its originator and host. BrainWaves is an academic audio podcast whose mission is to educate medical providers through clinical cases and topical reviews in neurology, medicine, and the humanities. Episodes originally aired from 2016 to 2021.

Originally released: September 14, 2017

In 2016, the management of patent foramen ovale was “open” for discussion. Now (2017), consider the case closed. Recent data indicate patent foramen ovales should be closed in certain patients with cryptogenic strokes. But some questions remain unanswered. This week's episode is a follow-up discussion on this frequent topic that troubles stroke units.

Produced by James E Siegler and Chris Favilla. Music by Lee Rosevere and Marcos H. Bolanos. Voiceover by Erika Mejia. BrainWaves' podcasts and online content are intended for medical education purposes only. Jim is not a cardiac surgeon. Just a guy who's trying to bring you all the latest updates on what smarter doctors are doing.

REFERENCES

Kent DM, Dahabreh IJ, Ruthazer R, et al. Device closure of patent foramen ovale after stroke: pooled analysis of completed randomized trials. J Am Coll Cardiol 2016;67(8):907-7. PMID 26916479

Kent DM, Ruthazer R, Weimar C, et al. An index to identify stroke-related vs incidental patent foramen ovale in cryptogenic stroke. Neurology 2013;81(7):619-25. doi: 10.1212/WNL.0b013e3182a08d59. Epub 2013 Jul 17. PMID 23864310

Meier B, Lock JE. Contemporary management of patent foramen ovale. Circulation 2003;107(1):5-9. PMID 12515733

We believe that the principles expressed or implied in the podcast remain valid, but certain details may be superseded by evolving knowledge since the episode’s original release date.