This study suggests that moderate-to-severe ASA might be associated with LA dysfunction in patients with PFO. The resultant similarities to the pathophysiology of AF might represent an additional contributing mechanism for arterial embolism in such patients.

This study suggests that EV and CN have a deep impact on the pathophysiology of paradoxical embolism: EV and CN should be considered as adjunctive risk factors for paradoxical embolism in the decision-making process involving PFO patients.

Despite its small-sample nature, our study suggests that patients with permanent right-to-left shunt have potentially a higher risk of paradoxical embolism compared with those without.

A case of carotid artery stenting with an AngioGuard cerebral protection device is described in a patient with tight internal carotid stenosis. Deployment of AngioGuard induced sudden severe vasospasm, with subsequent minor stroke. According to our observations, AngioGuard may cause a vasospastic response with adverse neurologic effects.

In conclusion, nickel allergy is still a problematic issue in patients scheduled for transcatheter closure of intracardiac shunts; however, our brief study suggests that nickel allergy is not per se a contraindication to nitinol device closure.