The clinical significance of inherited thrombophilia in the pathogenesis of cerebral infarction associated with patent foramen ovale (PFO) is estimated in a different way according to recent reports. Bernhard Stephan and Colleagues (University Hospital Homburg/Saarland, Germany) found in their study that Factor V G1691A-mutations combined with PFO play a significant role in the pathogenesis of cerebral infarction.

"The prevalence of PFO in the general population is reported to be between 15% and 35%. Its role as a risk factor for the development of cerebral infarction has ben established by studies of stroke-patients. It is assumed that additional risk factors might be responsible for increasing the likelihood of developing cerebral infarction", Stephan et al. in Applied Cardiopulmonary Pathophysiology report.

The authors conclude from their data "that the occurence of factor V Leiden and, to a lesser extent, of prothrombin G20210A-mutation is a clinically relevant risk for the development of cerebral infarction in association with PFO. This relationship is obviously linked with paradoxical embolism possibly due to venous occlusive disease.

Therefore, in the case of cerebral infarction, apart from neurological and cardiologic diagnosis, additional examinations of the peripheral venous system are recommended in patients with PFO and inherited thrombophilia. The results of these investigations should consistently be included into preventive and therapeutic strategies."


B. Stephan, J.-F. Schenk, A. Beye, G. Pindur: Clinical significance of factor V G1691A- and prothrombin G20210A-mutations in cerebral infarction and patent foramen ovale. Applied Cardiopulmonary Pathophysiology 16: 32-36, 2012

Pabst Science Publishers (Lengerich/Westfalia, Germany) is publishing ten psychological and nine medical journals; furthermore, Pabst is publishing more than hundred psychological and medical books per year – partly specialized scientific literature, partly specialist literature written for laypeople.

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