Stroke can be a life-changing event. Strokes can be brought on by many causes including bleeding in the brain, blockages in the arteries, aneurysm or abnormal swelling of arteries. Clot or debris traveling to the brain can obstruct the flow of blood and lead to a stroke. In many cases, the cause of stroke is unknown or called cryptogenic stroke. A patent foramen ovale, or what is commonly known as a “hole in the heart,” can be a potential cause of cryptogenic stroke.

This condition can be treated to prevent future strokes by medications called anticoagulants or blood thinners or by closing the ‘hole in the heart’ using a simple but technically involved procedure.  This study, published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, compares the effectiveness of these two treatment options using data pooled from several independent randomized trials of different devices and medications. The authors concluded that among those patients with Patent Foramen Ovale and cryptogenic stroke, closing the defect reduced the risk of future strokes as well as the combined risk of minor and major stroke and death, compared to medications alone. Additional benefits would include the reducing the cost and side effects of a medication that would be needed for the rest of life for most patients. 

Understanding these complex medical issues
can be difficult for patients to understand
as well as difficult for professionals to clearly explain.

The CardioVisual app can assist with educating a patient using videos that demonstrate what a patent foramen ovale is, how it causes a stroke, and how different devices can be used to close the defect. CardioVisual app provides instant, brief and  commercial-free videos to allow healthcare professionals to easily explain complex heart and vascular conditions and treatments for better understanding for patients and their families.