Coronary Artery Disease in Adults Undergoing Percutaneous Patent Foramen Ovale Closure Following Cryptogenic Stroke

Background. A patent foramen ovale (PFO) is found in nearly half of patients with cryptogenic stroke. Little guidance on the use or necessity of coronary angiography at the time of percutaneous PFO closure exists. We aimed to characterize the presence of coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients undergoing PFO closure following a cryptogenic stroke. Methods. A retrospective analysis of consecutive patients who underwent concurrent percutaneous PFO closure and coronary angiography was performed. Patients were >= 40 years of age and had a preceding diagnosis of cryptogenic stroke with no known CAD. Visual analysis of coronary angiograms was performed. Results. Of 180 patients, 8 (4%) had severe CAD, 15 (8%) had moderate CAD, 32 (18%) had mild CAD, and 12 (7%) had luminal irregularities. Of those with moderate-to-severe CAD, 9 (5%) had proximal disease and 9 (5%) had multivessel disease. Of those with moderate-to-severe CAD, 8 (35%) underwent further risk stratification with stress testing, 4 (17%) were medically managed, and 1 (4%) underwent concurrent angioplasty. Conclusions. Coronary angiography identified a low prevalence of CAD in patients with cryptogenic stroke undergoing PFO closure, suggesting that coronary angiography is not routinely indicated in patients undergoing PFO closure.