Patent foramen ovale with cryptogenic stroke: A case report

Patent foramen ovale (PFO) is a common congenital heart defect that can contribute to cryptogenic stroke, particularly in younger patients lacking traditional risk factors. The present study describes the case of a 14-year-old male patient who experienced an acute ischemic stroke without identifiable atheroembolic risk factors. Comprehensive diagnostic imaging revealed a marked right-to-left shunt through a PFO, identified as the probable cause of the stroke. The patient was treated with dual antiplatelet therapy and subsequently underwent successful percutaneous PFO closure. At 6 months following the procedure, the patient exhibited notable neurological recovery. The present case report highlights the critical need for evaluating PFO as a potential etiology of cryptogenic stroke in younger populations, emphasizing the advantages of a multidisciplinary approach and timely intervention in preventing recurrent events.