OBJETIVO: A associação das anormalidades do septo interatrial - forame oval patente (FOP) e aneurisma de septo interatrial (ASA) - com acidente vascular cerebral isquêmico (AVCI) ainda é questão de incerteza para muitos autores. No entanto, vários estudo mostram que em pacientes jovens tais anormalidades podem estar relacionadas à gênese de eventos isquêmicos. Nosso objetivo é descrever a prevalência do FOP e ASA em uma coorte de pacientes jovens (< 55 anos) com AVCI e acompanhar estes pacientes após fechamento cirúrgico ou por prótese endovascular. MÉTODO: Em 21 meses de estudo, identificamos todos os pacientes com menos de 55 anos de idade admitidos em nosso hospital por AVCI. Consideramos AVCI como criptogenético quando não havia uma causa provável para AVCI. Todos os pacientes foram submetidos ao ecocardiograma transesofágico. O fechamento por prótese endovascular foi o procedimento oferecido àqueles com alguma anormalidade do septo interatrial. Os pacientes foram acompanhados mensalmente e submetidos a antiagregação plaquetária com AAS ou clopidogrel. RESULTADOS: Foram admitidos 32 pacientes jovens com AVCI. Após ampla investigação, 29 receberam o diagnóstico de AVCI criptogênico. Destes, 12 (12/29 - 41,3%) apresentaram alguma anormalidade do septo interatrial; sendo que em 7 havia a associação de FOP e ASA. Dez pacientes foram submetidos a fechamento endovascular percutâneo e 2 foram submetidos a fechamento cirúrgico. Até o momento, nenhum paciente relatou recorrência do evento isquêmico e 2 pacientes relataram melhora das crises de enxaqueca (14 meses de seguimento). CONCLUSÃO: Nossa pequena série de casos está de acordo com outros estudos e sugere uma possível relação entre anormalidades do septo interatrial e AVCI em pacientes jovens. Maiores estudos são necessários para comprovar esta associação e para definir a melhor conduta terapêutica.

OBJECTIVE: Although its role is a matter of debate, some studies described a higher prevalence of patent foramen ovale (PFO) and atrial septal aneurysm (ASA) in young stroke patients, with higher risk with PFO / ASA association (OR 4.96). The aim of this study was determine the prevalence of PFO and ASA in a cohort of cryptogenic ischemic stroke (IS) patients younger than 55 years and to follow-up after surgical or percutaneous endovascular closure (PEC). METHOD: In 21 months we identified all patients less than 55 years old with IS who were admitted to our hospital. Cryptogenic IS was considered if there is not an identifiably cause to cerebral ischemia. Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) was performed in all patients. After interatrial septal abnormalities diagnosis, percutaneous device closure was offered to all. Patients were followed monthly and keeped with oral AAS or Clopidogrel. RESULTS: We identified 189 patients with IS and 32 were less than 55 years old (16.9%). In 29 the IS was cryptogenic. TEE was performed in all patients and some form of interatrial septal abnormality was identified in 12 (12/29 - 41.3%); 5 had a PFO and in 7 there was PFO plus ASA. Ten patients were submitted to PEC and 2 were submitted to surgical closure. In mid-term follow-up (28 months) no ischemic events occurred and 2 patients related disappearance of migraine symptoms. CONCLUSION: Our small series description is in accordance with other studies and suggests a possible relation between interatrial septal abnormalities and IS in a cohort of young patient.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the initial clinical experience with the Helex septal occluder for percutaneous closure of atrial septal defects. METHODS: Ten patients underwent the procedure, 7 patients with ostium secundum atrial septal defects (ASD) with hemodynamic repercussions and 3 patients with pervious foramen ovale (PFO) and a history of stroke. Mean age was 33.8 years and mean weight was 55.4 kg. Mean diameter by transesophageal echocardiography and mean stretched ASD diameter were 11.33 ± 3.3mm, and 15.2 ± 3.8mm, respectively. The Qp/Qs ratio was 1.9 ± 0.3 in patients with ASD. RESULTS: Eleven occluders were placed because a patient with 2 holes needed 2 devices. It was necessary to retrieve and replace 4 devices in 3 patients. We observed immediate residual shunt (< 2mm) in 4 patients with ASD, and in those with patent foramen ovale total occlusion of the defect occurred. No complications were noted, and all patients were discharged on the following day. After 1 month, 2 patients with ASD experienced trivial residual shunts (1mm). In 1 patient, we observed mild prolapse in the proximal disk in the right atrium, without consequences. CONCLUSION: The Helex septal occluder was safe and effective for occluding small to moderate atrial septal defects. Because the implantation technique is demanding, it requires specific training of the operator. Even so, small technical failures may occur in the beginning of the learning curve, but they do not involve patient safety.