What is the significance of the incidental intraoperative detection and repair of a patent foramen ovale?
The significance of the incidental intraoperative detection and repair of a patent foramen ovale is controversial. A 2009 observational analysis of 13 092 patients (25% isolated CABG; 29% CABG or other cardiac procedure), of whom 17% had a patent foramen ovale detected by TEE (28% of which were repaired), reported an increase in postoperative stroke in the patients who had patent foramen ovale repair (OR: 2.47; 95% CI: 1.02 to 6.0) with no improvement in long-term outcomes.