PFO Post Closure ” Do I take these pills for life? “

Once a hole in the heart is plugged with a PFO closure device the common question asked by patients is how long does one need to continue antiplatelet therapy?   According to a new analysis reported in The Journal of the American College of Cardiology, long-term follow-up of patients who underwent patent foramen ovale (PFO) …

Know-Stroke.org Announcement: New Member Services Site Launching Soon!

Stroke Awareness | Recovery | Rehabilitation Resources Launching April 1st  Featuring: All new webinars, keynotes, research opportunities and a new stroke telerehab platform for home stroke recovery!  

Another PFO trial shows evidence of better outcomes for stroke patients following PFO closure

The findings support results of several trials and suggest that patients with a higher-risk #PFO are likely to benefit from a pfo closure device. According to findings presented at the 67th American College of Cardiology’s Annual Scientific Session,  patients who received a medical device to close a patent foramen ovale (PFO) after a stroke fared better …

Are cardiologists and neurologists finally working together to find consensus on the role of patent foramen ovale (PFO) closure after stroke?

The decision to close a PFO after a stroke should certainly only be made after extensive testing and collaboration by patients and clinicians working closely together.  From my experience being involved as a stroke patient advocate and following the stories of cryptogenic stroke patients with PFO over time, I’ve learned first hand that part of …

Here’s the nutrition facts on artificial sweeteners and stroke risk

Most processed foods today have added sugars.  With up to 70% of all processed and packaged foods on the market today being infused with more sugar, it is indeed difficult to avoid the white stuff. So what about the substitutes, the low to no cal sweeteners that promise you they are better for your health.  Are they …

New Report Released : Closure versus medical therapy for preventing recurrent stroke in patients with patent foramen ovale and a history of cryptogenic stroke or transient ischemic attack

PFO Closure vs. Medical Therapy Published Sept. 8 2015 Cochrane.org The authors of this report wanted to compare the safety and effectiveness of transcatheter device closure (TDC) versus medical therapy in people with a patent foramen ovale (PFO) who have suffered a stroke of unknown cause in order to prevent strokes or similar events occurring again. Key results: The Cochrane …

3D Printing for Better Heart Occluder Placement

What a brilliant idea!  Heartwire by Medscape presented  a case report where Australian physicians are taking advantage of 3D printing to create an exact replica of the patient’s cardiac anatomy when planning left atrial appendage (LAA) closure procedures.   Can’t help wondering… Could 3-D printing also be used in other cardiac procedures? Perhaps to better size …

Amplatzer cardiac plug “very promising device” study suggests

Amplatzer Plug Cuts Stroke, Bleeding Risks in AFib According to Study Almost eight years out post pfo closure and the hairs on the back of my neck still stand up when I get an “Amplatzer” Google alert.  I guess it will always be that way until we get better guidelines and follow-up for PFO patients. …

A Year in Review- Still No Closure on PFO Closure!!

 PFO Closure Progress: Still in the Dark Ages? These PFO posts still remain two of my most popular posts in 2014 according to WordPress site stats for “Year in Review” which makes me sad actually because it probably means folks are still looking for closure on PFO closure (2 years after the original PFO closure/”Dark …

Anger following a stroke is “_ _ _ _”.

If you have been told you “seem different” or you noticed a personality change after your stroke, research shows there may be a connection to specific areas of the brain. Depression following a stroke is real but it is too easy to simply assume that everything related to your responses post stroke are because you …