Summary

About 25% of the world's population has been reported to have patent foramen ovale (PFO) or symptoms related to it, and they are at a greater risk of paradoxical embolisms [Kent DM, Thaler DE. Stroke 2010; Homma S, Sacco RL. Circulation 2005]. This article presents new research that revealed that transcranial doppler (TCD) ultrasound is superior to transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) for the detection of PFOs associated with higher stroke risk.