A patent foramen ovale (PFO) is present in approximately 25% of all adults. Author David M. Kent, MD, MS, of Tufts Medical Center and JAMA Associate Editor David Simel, MD, MHS, discuss how to evaluate the likelihood that a PFO was causal in a patient with a cryptogenic ischemic stroke, and closure of a PFO to lower the incidence of recurrent strokes for affected patients.

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JAMA Editors' Summary

Patent Foramen Ovale-Associated Stroke

JAMA Clinical Reviews