Percutaneous closure of patent foramen ovale to prevent recurrent cerebral embolic events

The condition

The foramen ovale is a hole in the wall that divides the 2 sides of the heart. It is present in the heart of a developing fetus, but normally it closes up soon after birth. If it doesn't close up, it's known as a patent foramen ovale. There is a small risk that blood clots from the veins might pass through this opening and travel to the brain, causing a stroke or transient ischaemic attack.

To reduce the risk of stroke and transient ischaemic attack, patients are often given drugs such as warfarin or aspirin, which reduce blood clotting.

NICE has looked at using percutaneous closure of the patent foramen ovale as another treatment option in people who have had a stroke or a transient ischaemic attack. Click on to the next page to find out more.