Impact of deep vein thrombosis assessed by venous ultrasonography in patients with stroke and patent foramen ovale

Introduction: Appropriate therapeutic management for secondary stroke prevention (SSP) in stroke patients and patent foramen ovale (PFO) remains uncertain. Assumption of paradoxical embolism (PDE) supposes a venous thrombotic source. Diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) of lower extremity/pelvis veins (LEPV) not only strengthens the hypothesis of PDE, simultaneously determine the therapy for SSP. The aim of this study was to assess the frequency of DVT detected by sonography in a cohort of stroke patients diagnosed of PFO. The study might help to understand which factors are associated with the diagnosis of D…