On March 5th , Madrid hosted the scientific conference "FOP Best Practices: Everything you need to know about patent foramen ovale (PFO)" , a specialized meeting focused on updating knowledge about the role of PFO closure in secondary stroke prevention.
The session brought together specialists from different Spanish hospitals with experience in structural heart disease and in the interventional treatment of patent foramen ovale, a cardiac alteration associated with certain cases of stroke of unknown origin.
Among the participants, two specialists from the Comprehensive Cardiology Unit stood out : Dr. Felipe Hernández and Dr. Alejandra Carbonell , who actively participated in the scientific development of the day.
Exchange of clinical experience among specialists
The meeting was led by Dr. Felipe Hernández , interventional cardiologist from the Comprehensive Cardiology Unit, along with Dr. Pablo Salinas , from the San Carlos University Clinical Hospital.
During the highly interactive session, the main aspects related to the management of patent foramen ovale were reviewed, from diagnosis and patient selection to interventional approach and subsequent follow-up.
The program also included sessions dedicated to the analysis of complex clinical cases , in which different strategies for addressing difficult anatomies or clinical situations requiring individualized planning were discussed.
Importance of cardiac imaging in procedure planning
Dr. Alejandra Carbonell , a specialist from the Comprehensive Cardiology Unit, participated in the session dedicated to pre-procedure imaging and planning for PFO closure , in which the key role of imaging techniques in the anatomical evaluation of the patient and in the selection of the most appropriate device was addressed.
These tools allow for optimizing the safety of the procedure and improving clinical outcomes in selected patients.
Scientific update in structural cardiology
The day also served as a space for the exchange of knowledge between specialists involved in the treatment of cryptogenic stroke and in minimally invasive structural cardiology techniques.
The participation of professionals from the Comprehensive Cardiology Unit of the La Luz University Hospital reflects the center's commitment to continuous training and to the advancement of interventional techniques aimed at improving stroke prevention.