Stroke prophylaxis by percutaneous closure of patent foramen ovale and left atrial appendage

Innovative percutaneous procedures for stroke prevention have emerged in the last two decades. Transcatheter closure of the patent foramen ovale (PFO) is performed in patients who suffered a cryptogenic stroke or a transient ischaemic attach (TIA) in order to prevent recurrence of thromboembolic events. Percutaneous occlusion of the left atrial appendage (LAA) has been introduced to reduce stroke risk in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). The role of PFO and LAA in the occurrence of cerebrovascular events and the interventional device-based therapies to occlude the PFO and LAA are discussed.