Suture-mediated closure of a patent foramen ovale during surgery without cardiopulmonary bypass

A patent foramen ovale (PFO) is associated with an increased risk of recurrent ischemic strokes and transient ischemic attacks due to paradoxical emboli in patients with prior neurological events. We report a case of a surgical suture-mediated of a PFO closure without cardiopulmonary bypass in a patient with recurrent cerebral ischemic events, who was intolerant of medical therapy, was a poor candidate for catheter-based PFO closure, and presented as a potentially high risk for poor wound healing from traditional surgical closure. (C) 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.