Abstract.
We report a 47-years-old male with ischemic stroke, whose arteriographic and echocardiographic investigations did not reveal any steno-occlusive arterial disease or embolic source from the left cardiac chambers. A transesophageal echocardiogram showed a patent foramen ovale (PFO), whilst laboratory screening for coagulation abnormalities showed heterozygosity for factor V Leiden mutation. The significance of the association of PFO with factor V Leiden mutation is discussed as a possible cause of ischemic stroke through paradoxical embolism from a venous source. The high prevalence of these two conditions in the general population is emphasized and the indication for anticoagulant therapy is discussed.
Similar content being viewed by others
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Received: 7 December 2001 / Accepted in revised form: 16 July 2002
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Bezzi, G., Bolzani, W., Compagnoni, V. et al. Factor V Leiden mutation and patent foramen ovale in ischemic stroke. Neurol Sci 23, 229–231 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1007/s100720200046
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s100720200046