The role of eustachian valve and patent foramen ovale in sudden death.

Sudden unexpected cardiac death is the leading cause of death in industrialized countries. Patent foramen ovale and eustachian valve are two of cardiac diseases and they may be associated with clinical disorders as embolism, stroke, plathypnea-orthodeoxia syndrome, carcinoid heart disease, atrial flutter and endocarditis. The literature for the roles of patent foramen ovale and eustachian valve in the causes of sudden deaths are reviewed.