Residual Shunt After Patent Foramen Ovale Device Closure in Patients With Cryptogenic Stroke

The closure procedure was performed under general anesthesia. After achieving femoral venous access, the PFO was crossed with a 5F multipurpose catheter, which was advanced into the left upper pulmonary vein and then exchanged over a 0.035 inch J-tipped stiff guidewire for an 8F or 9F guiding sheath. Procedural anticoagulation was initiated with 5000 units of intravenous heparin. After then additional heparin was administrated throughout procedure to maintain an activated clotting time of ≥250 seconds. Device size was selected based on TEE measurements of the distance between the PFO and the aortic root.