White matter lesions as a prognostic marker of recurrence in cryptogenic stroke with high-risk patent foramen ovale

A high-risk patent foramen ovale (PFO) could be the cause of cryptogenic stroke, and an atrial septal aneurysm (ASA) increases the risk of stroke recurrence in cryptogenic stroke patients with a patent foramen ovale (PFO). Factors related to stroke recurrence according to PFO characteristics have not been fully evaluated. Data from a multicenter, observational registry of ischemic stroke patients undergoing transesophageal echocardiography were used for this study. Patients were classified into three groups: high-risk PFO, PFO with large shunt (≥20 microbubbles) or ASA; right-to-left shunt (RLS), RLS including PFO with