Neurologist
-
Review Case Reports
Is Patent Foramen Ovale Closure More Effective Than Medical Therapy in Preventing Stroke Recurrence in Patients With Cryptogenic Stroke?: A Critically Appraised Topic.
The clinical benefit of patent foramen ovale (PFO) closure in patients with cryptogenic stroke (CS) for recurrent stroke prevention has been a subject of extensive debate. Prior clinical trials failed to show superiority of PFO closure versus medical therapy. Meta-analyses suggested a possible benefit of PFO closure in select patients. ⋯ Among patients who had a recent CS attributed to PFO with a large interatrial shunt or with an associated atrial septal aneurysm, the rate of stroke recurrence was lower among those assigned to PFO closure combined with antiplatelet therapy than among those assigned to antiplatelet therapy alone.