# Clinical Characteristics of Patients With Patent Foramen Ovale and Pyogenic Brain Abscess

## TL;DR

This study found that adults with pyogenic brain abscess and a patent foramen ovale had different abscess features but similar mortality rates.

## Contribution

The study reports a high prevalence of PFO in PBA patients and identifies distinct abscess characteristics associated with PFO.

## Key findings

- PFO prevalence in PBA patients was 40.5%, higher than the general population.
- PFO was associated with distinct abscess characteristics but not with increased mortality.
- No significant difference in 1-year mortality was observed between PFO and non-PFO PBA patients.

## Abstract

Patent foramen ovale (PFO) has a prevalence of approximately 25%. Its association with pyogenic brain abscess (PBA) is unclear. We reviewed adults with PBA and known PFO status from 1 January 2009 through 31 December 2021 at Mayo Clinic. High PFO prevalence (40.5%) was seen. PBA patients with PFO had distinct abscess characteristics but unchanged 1-year, all-cause mortality.

Graphical AbstractCreated in BioRender [1].

Created in BioRender [1].