Standardized Goal-Directed Vs. Self-Directed Valsalva Maneuver for the Assessment of Patent Foramen Ovale

Not Applicable

Recruiting

• Conditions: Stroke

• Registration Number: NCT06670781
• Lead Sponsor: Ottawa Heart Institute Research Corporation

Brief Summary

Ischemic stroke represents a major public health issue, leading to significant disabilities and deaths worldwide. When no clear cause for stroke is found following a comprehensive cardiovascular evaluation (no atrial fibrillation, cardiac masses, or atherosclerosis) i.e. cryptogenic stroke, it is recommended to search for a patent foramen ovale (PFO), especially in young patients. It is estimated that cryptogenic stroke accounts for 30% to 40% of ischemic strokes. Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) with bubble study at rest and during Valsalva maneuver is the reference method for the diagnosis of PFO. The treatment of PFO using a closure device has demonstrated a significant reduction in recurrent stroke events in patients with PFO and cryptogenic stroke. The Valsalva maneuver is currently achieved using self-directed maneuver i.e. patients are instructed to ''bear down'' or ''strain as if attempting to move your bowels.'' These instructions are subjective and depend largely on individuals understanding and effort. A Goal-Directed Valsalva Maneuver using a manometer has been shown to be a more reproducible way to perform the Valsalva achieving more sensitivity in different settings such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy but its incremental diagnostic value for the detection of PFO has not been yet evaluated.

The aim of the present study is to compare the sensibility and specificity of two methods of Valsalva maneuver for the detection of PFO. We hypothesize that Goal-Directed Valsalva Maneuver will significantly increase the detection rate of PFO compared to Self-Directed Valsalva Maneuver.

Detailed Description

Not available

Study Timeline

• Status Verified: 2024-09
• Study First Submitted: 2024-10-24
• Study First Submitted QC: 2024-10-31
• Study First Posted: 2024-11-01
• Study Start: 2025-01-30
• Last Update Submitted: 2025-03-24
• Last Update Posted: 2025-03-28
• Primary Completion: 2025-12
• Study Completion: 2026-10

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: RECRUITING
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 488

Inclusion Criteria

• Patients referred for a clinically indicated TTE and bubble study

Exclusion Criteria

• Inability to provide informed consent
• Inability to insert an IV line
• Inability to perform a Self-Directed Valsalva maneuver
• Patient wishing to keep his mask on

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: CROSSOVER

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Rate of detection of PFO by Self-Directed Valsalva Maneuver and Goal-Directed Valsalva Maneuver.	From enrollment to the end of echocardiogram (40 minutes from enrollment).

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Rate of large shunt positive bubble study.	From enrollment to the end of echocardiogram (40 minutes from enrollment).
Rate of detection of PFO by Self-Directed Valsalva Maneuver and Goal-Directed Valsalva Maneuver in women and in men.	From enrollment to the end of echocardiogram (40 minutes from enrollment).

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

University of Ottawa Heart Institute; 🇨🇦 Ottawa, Ontario, Canada