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Abstract
Patent foramen ovale (PFO) is a congenital, small tunnel-like connection between the right and left atria that usually closes spontaneously after birth. However, frequently (in up to 35% of the normal population) it persists into adulthood. It is associated with ‘paradoxical’ embolism from the venous to the arterial system and may result in stroke or peripheral embolism. One prophylactic treatment option is transcatheter closure of the PFO. Currently available closure devices extend into both atria and therefore occasionally cause complications, such as thrombus formation or erosion of adjacent structures. The Coherex FlatStent™ is a flat, self-expanding stent that is designed to be positioned within the PFO tunnel. It is a very small, low-mass device that minimizes the amount of implanted foreign material to reduce the risk of device-related complications. This article focuses on the anatomy of PFOs and compares the Coherex FlatStent™ with currently available and experimental PFO closure devices.
Financial & competing interests disclosure
Horst Sievert has received consulting fees, travel expenses or study honoraria from Abbott, Access Closure, AGA, Angiomed, Boston Scientific, CardioKinetix, CardioMEMS, Cierra, Coherex, CoAptus, Cordis, CSI, Edwards, EndoTex, ev3, FlowCardia, Gore, Guidant, Invatec, Lumen Biomedical, Kensey Nash, NDC, NMT, OAS, Occlutech, Ovalis, Pathway, pfm, PendraCare Percardia, Remon, Rox Medical, Sadra, Sorin, Spectranetics, St Jude, Terumo, Topspin, Velocimed and Xtent. He also has stock options and/or stocks in the following companies: Cardiokinetix, Access Closure, Velocimed, Cierra, CoAptus and Lumen Biomedical. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.
No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.