Prevalence of Patent Foramen Ovale in XXXX in Italy: Results of SISIFO Study.

@entity1 @entity64 @entity24603 @entity101 @entity6 @entity146 @entity955 @entity4616 @entity385
UNASSIGNED: Background: Although several authors have studied the association between @entity4616 ( @entity4616 ) and @entity64 , the matter is still controversial; few have suggested an association between cryptogenetic @entity64 and @entity4616 , while others have denied this association. The aim of this study was to evaluate @entity4616 prevalence in the whole @entity64 population, independently from age and @entity64 subtypes and to identify the characteristics associated with the presence of @entity4616 . Methods: SISIFO study was a multicenter, prospective, single-wave, cross-sectional survey conducted on consecutive @entity1 with acute @entity385 admitted to selected clinical centres. Data regarding vascular risk factors were registered for each @entity1 ; all @entity1 underwent computed tomography scan and/or magnetic resonance imaging of the brain; an electrocardiogram and standard laboratory blood tests were performed. A Doppler ultrasound study of extra-cranial arteries was performed too. The cases were classified according to TOAST and OCSP criteria. Each @entity1 underwent transcranial Doppler or transcranial color-coded duplex sonography with bubble test as diagnostic tool for right-to-left-shunt. Where right-to-left shunt was detected, @entity4616 presence was confirmed by echocardiography. Findings: 1,130 consecutive @entity1 were included. We found a @entity4616 in 247 (21.9%; 95% CI, 19.5-24.3%) @entity1 ; @entity4616 was present in 23.5% of @entity1 with cryptogenic @entity64 and in 21.3% of @entity1 with @entity64 of known causes; this difference was not statistically significant. At the univariate analysis, decreasing age, @entity101 , @entity6 , and @entity955 , and @entity64 characteristics such as NIHSS, OCSP and TOAST were predictors of @entity4616 presence. At the multivariate analysis, we found a significant interaction between age and OCSP syndrome. Being LACI the reference category, the prevalence of @entity4616 in PACI and POCI decreased significantly along with age, whereas there was no change in @entity24603 . Conclusion: If any relationship exists between @entity64 and @entity4616 , this is more likely in PACI and POCI at a younger age. Our results are consistent with recent findings that underline @entity4616 alone must not be considered a significant independent predictor for @entity64 ; so the presence of @entity4616 alone doesn't permit rushed causal correlations or 'therapeutic @entity146 '.    2015 S. Karger AG, Basel.
