Evidence on the safety of percutaneous closure of patent foramen ovale to prevent recurrent cerebral embolic events shows serious but infrequent complications. Evidence on its efficacy is adequate. Therefore, this procedure may be used with normal arrangements for clinical governance, consent and audit.
The procedure should only be performed in units with appropriate arrangements for urgent cardiac surgical support in the event of complications.
The National Institute for Cardiovascular Outcomes Research runs the UK Central Cardiac Audit Database (UKCCAD) and clinicians should enter details about all patients undergoing percutaneous closure of patent foramen ovale to prevent recurrent cerebral embolic events onto this database.