Treatment Considerations for Patent Foramen Ovale-Associated Stroke

Activity Summary

Required reading for all learners: Implicit Bias impacts patient outcomes

The foramen ovale serves a vital role in utero, allowing blood to flow from the right atrium to the left atrium to bypass the baby’s immature lungs. While it usually closes after birth, in 25% of the adult population it has not; this is referred to as a patent foramen ovale (PFO). A PFO can cause an ischemic stroke. This foundational session focuses on how a PFO causes a stroke, treatment options for these patients and the nursing care for patients undergoing percutaneous closure.

Objectives

Define what a PFO is and the etiology of stroke in a person with a PFO.
Identify the factors which would favor closure of a PFO in a patient who had a stroke versus medication therapy.
Describe the nursing care for a patient undergoing percutaneous placement of a PFO closure device.

Continuing Education Disclosure Statement

Criteria for Awarding Contact Hours

Learners must complete the entire activity and the associated evaluation AND read Implicit Bias impacts patient outcomes. No partial credit will be awarded.

Accreditation

American Association of Critical-Care Nurses is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation.
Provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider number CEP 1036, for {contactHours} contact hours.

Disclosures

The Nurse Planner has determined that no individuals with the ability to control content of this activity have relevant relationships with ineligible companies.

Activities with pharmacotherapeutic credit are to assist the APRN in fulfilling their education requirements for licensure and certification renewals.

Refund Policy

Continuing Education Activities are nonrefundable.