Ischemic Stroke During Sexual Intercourse
A Report of 4 Cases in Persons With Patent Foramen Ovale
Kyra Becker, MD;
Elaine Skalabrin, MD;
Danial Hallam, MD;
Edward Gill, MD
Arch Neurol. 2004;61:1114-1116.
Background The association between patent foramen ovale (PFO) and stroke risk in young adults is controversial and poorly understood. Paradoxical embolization through a PFO represents a possible mechanism by which PFO might predispose to stroke.
Objective To describe 4 patients with PFO who experienced the onset of ischemic stroke during sexual intercourse.
Design Case series.
Setting Tertiary referral stroke clinic.
Patients Consecutive patients experiencing stroke during intercourse.
Results All 4 patients were found to have PFO. Despite a thorough evaluation, no other etiology for stroke was identified.
Conclusion We suggest that paradoxical embolization through a PFO due to elevated intrathoracic pressure during sexual activity could be a potential mechanism for stroke in these patients.
From the Departments of Neurology (Dr Becker), Radiology (Dr Hallam), and Medicine (Dr Gill), Harborview Medical Center, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle; and the Department of Neurology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City (Dr Skalabrin).
THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES
Increased frequency of cardioembolism and patent foramen ovale in patients with stroke and a positive travel history suggesting economy class stroke syndrome
Heckmann et al.
Heart 2006;92:1265-1268.
ABSTRACT
| FULL TEXT
Multiple reversible episodes of subcortical ischemia following postcoital middle cerebral artery dissection.
Prabhakaran and Krakauer
Arch Neurol 2006;63:891-893.
ABSTRACT
| FULL TEXT
|
