Almost every second patientwith cryptogenic stroke has a patent foramen ovale (PFO). This consensus document firstly provides an evidence-based overview on the diagnostics of PFO, current studies, interventional closure, and medical therapy in terms of platelet aggregation inhibitors and anticoagulation. Secondly, the risk–benefit balance of interventional versus antithrombotic therapy with and without oral anticoagulants in patients with cryptogenic stroke and PFO is discussed based on recent findings of randomized controlled clinical trials (RCTs) and meta-analyses. Ultimately, the consented recommendations and levels thereof are indicated. The published data demonstrate the superiority of interventional PFO closure. There is a significant reduction of recurrent strokes in patients with an interventional PFO closure device compared to medical therapy. The complication rate of the interventional therapy is low and particularly younger patients with cryptogenic stroke benefit from interventional PFO closure. In summary, interventional PFO closure is superior tomedical treatment in patientswith cryptogenic stroke aged <60years.

withdrawn EP3210 Knowledge about symptoms and risk factors of stroke among students of medical and non-medical universities in

Allogeneic hematopoietic SCT (HSCT) has been proposed as a treatment for patients with mitochondrial neurogastrointestinal encephalomyopathy (MNGIE). HSCT has been performed in nine patients using different protocols with varying success. Based on this preliminary experience, participants of the first consensus conference propose a common approach to allogeneic HSCT in MNGIE. Standardization of the transplant protocol and the clinical and biochemical assessments will allow evaluation of the safety and efficacy of HSCT as well as optimization of therapy for patients with MNGIE.

Introduction: The assessment of cerebral blood flow (CBF) using non-invasive MR methods may increase the insight of the pathophysiological mechanism that leads to disease as well as to the understanding of the development of diseases. Arterial Spin Labeling (ASL) is a fast developing technique with a wide range of applications in the field of neuroradiology and neurology. ASL is a fast technique, precise in spatial resolution and it provides basic quantities in units of ml/100g/min. Recent advances in ASL have permitted noninvasive evaluation of vascular territories for the evaluation of collateral blood flow in cerebrovascular diseases.