Morphometric characteristics of interatrial septum in patients with patent foramen ovale and cryptogenic stroke

High-risk morphometric characteristics of patent foramen ovale (PFO), as observed by transesophageal echocardiography (TEE), are associated with cryptogenic stroke (CS) and crucial for selecting optimal treatment. This study aimed to evaluate the pathogenic characteristics and mobility of the interatrial septum (IAS) in patients with PFO and CS. The PFO parameters of 69 patients, including 32 patients with CS and 37 without CS, were assessed using TEE to determine the degree of mobility and pathogenic characteristics. CS patients had more significant IAS mobility, shorter PFO length and thinner septum primum thickness than non-CS patients. Multivariate analysis showed that age, IAS mobility, PFO length and septum primum thickness were independently associated with CS. No correlation was found in the mobility of the middle and edge of the septum primum and septum secundum in both groups of patients. TEE could accurately identify the morphometric characteristics of PFO. CS was associated with PFO characteristics, including age, IAS mobility, PFO length and septum primum thickness.