Patent Foramen Ovale

Key points

• PFO present in ~20% of the population.
• Allows paradoxical embolus (e.g. from DVT) right → left → stroke.
• Association with migraine; some studies report improvement after closure.
• Post-stroke management controversial: antiplatelet vs anticoagulant vs PFO closure.

Decision points in this pathway

• Stroke/TIA with venous thromboembolism (e.g. DVT)?
• Management (controversial) — choose between:

The full step-by-step algorithm, including what to do at each branch, opens in the app for approved members.