Fig. 1.

Selection algorithm for interventional and conservative PFO-management. Selection algorithm for interventional and conservative PFO-management according to standard operating procedure at our institution including the study flow with respective numbers. High-risk patent foramen ovale (PFO) is defined as PFO with either associated atrial septal aneurysm (ASA), spontaneous, or high-grade right-to-left shunt during Valsalva maneuver. Low-risk PFO is defined as PFO without ASA and with only small or moderate shunt size during Valsalva maneuver; MTA = medical therapy alone, TIA = transient ischemic attack, TOAST = Trial of Org 10172 in Acute Stroke Treatment