Patent Foramen Ovale: Advances in Mechanisms, Diagnosis, and Therapy

Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO) is a common congenital cardiac anatomical variant present in approximately 25% of the general population. While its clinical significance remains a subject of ongoing research, PFO has been increasingly implicated in a variety of conditions, most notably cryptogenic stroke, migraine with aura, decompression sickness, and platypnea-orthodeoxia syndrome. Advances in diagnostic imaging, procedural techniques, and patient selection have transformed the approach to PFO management, yet many uncertainties and controversies persist in the field.This Research Topic aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the latest scientific and clinical advances related to PFO. We invite original research articles, reviews, case reports, and perspectives addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:• Epidemiology and pathophysiology of PFO• Mechanisms linking PFO to stroke and other clinical conditions• Advances in diagnostic approaches and imaging techniques• Developments in closure devices and procedural techniques• Patient selection, risk stratification, and long-term outcomes• Management of PFO in special populations (e.g., elderly, pediatric, patients with complex comorbidities)• Non-interventional management and antithrombotic strategies• Health economic implications and cost-effectiveness of PFO closure• Unresolved controversies and future research directionsBy bringing together world-leading experts and emerging voices in the field, this collection aims to stimulate discussion, advance understanding, and inform evidence-based practice related to PFO. We particularly welcome multidisciplinary perspectives that bridge gaps across cardiology, neurology, radiology, and allied specialties. Topic editors: Eustaquio Maria Onorato, Gian Paolo Anzola Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/73569/patent-foramen-ovale-advances-in-mechanisms-diagnosis-and-therapy