Assessment of Hypercoagulation State in Patients with Embolic Cerebrovascular or Transient Ischemic Attack and Patent Foramen Ovale

Background: Patent foramen ovale (PFO) causes a right-to-left shunt in about a quarter of normal population. Hypercoagulation may be a risk factor for embolic cerebrovascular accidents (CVA) in these patients by paradoxical emboli. In this study, we checked hypercoagulation states in the embolic CVA patients with PFO. Methods: In a cross- sectional study, 40 patients with CVA or transient ischemic attack ( TIA )and PFO participated in the study. Serum level of Homocystein, lupus anticoagulant screening test, Factor V leiden, Anti Cardiolipin Antibody (ACLA) (IgG, IgM ), Anti- thrombin III, protein C, protein S,Anti B2 glycoprotein1 and platelet count were checked in all patients. The data were analyzed using the statistical package for social science series (SPSS 15.0) and descriptive statistical method.Results: The mean age was 42.4± 12.1. Seventeen (42.5%) patients were females. Twenty- two (55%) cases were diagnosed as having CVA and the others as TIA. Three (7.5%) of the patients were diabetic and 8 (20%) had a history of different stages of hypertension. Hyperlipidemia was detected in 6 (15%) patients and according to the laboratory data none had any signs of hypercoagulation.Conclusion: According to the present study, hypercoagulation as a cofactor in CVA patients with PFO did not seem to be a direct risk factor for embolic CVA at least any higher than for normal population.