Abstract: ObjectiveTo investigate the related factors of ischemic cerebrovascular diseases in patients with patent foramen ovale (PFO). Methods42 patients with PFO，aged ≤55 years old, with cerebral infarction or transient ischemic attack and treated with aspirin were involved. All patients were examined with transesophageal echocardiography. 6 cases relapsed and 36 cases did not. The size of PFO, serum fibrinogen level, and combination of atrial septal aneurysm (ASA) were compared. ResultsThey were followed up for (512.51±127.38) d. The serum fibrinogen level was (3.33±1.11) g/L in no relapse group, and was (4.40±1.49) g/L in relapse group （P=0.032）. There was not significant difference in the size of PFO (P=0.618) and combination ASA (P=0.554) between these groups. Logistic regression showed that patients with ischemic cerebrovascular diseases history involved in relapse (OR=46.913,95%CI:2.371～928.254), but the serum fibrinogen level did not （OR=2.656,95%CI:0.977～7.219）. ConclusionThe PFO patients with history of ischemic cerebrovascular diseases incline to relapse. It is not sure the influence of the serum fibrinogen level on it.

Key words: patent foramen ovale, cerebral infarction, transient ischemic attack, relapse, fibrinogen