Long-term Echocardiographic Features After Percutaneous Closure of Patent Foramen Ovale

Background: There is a lack of studies systematically addressing long-term echocardiographic features after patent foramen ovale (PFO) closure. Thus, the present study investigated long-term echocardiographic features after percutaneous closure of PFO. Methods: This was a single-centre observational study based on the institutional registry of consecutive patients undergoing PFO closure. Clinical and echocardiographic features during the follow-up were investigated. Results: Between 2006 and 2023, 355 consecutive patients underwent PFO closure following transitory ischaemic attack (TIA) or cerebrovascular insult (CVI). Echocardiography immediately after the procedure and at 6 months was performed in 306 (86%) patients, who had repeat examinations at either between 1 and 5 years (median 1.32 years), between 5 and 10 years (median 7.10 years) or after 10 years (median 11.64 years). The percentage of patients with complete closure (no bubbles during the Valsalva manoeuvre) increased from 64% after the procedure to 80% at 6 months (p