Patent Foramen Ovale Closure or Antiplatelet Therapy for Cryptogenic Stroke -

Patent Foramen Ovale Closure or Antiplatelet Therapy for Cryptogenic Stroke
Information type: Randomised controlled trials
Source: New England Journal of Medicine
Specialities: Cardiovascular system disorders | Haematological disorders | Stroke | Surgery
Summary
RCT (n=664) found risk of subsequent ischaemic stroke was lower among those assigned to patent foramen ovale (PFO) closure plus antiplatelets (APs) vs. APs alone (HR 0.23; 95% CI, 0.09-0.62; p=0.002); however, PFO closure was linked to higher rates of device complications and AF.
UKMi comment
An editorial asks how there can be three trials showing that closure prevents recurrent stroke, given that in the past 5 years, the Journal has published articles from three other trials that showed the opposite. It reviews the history of these studies and attempts to explain the discrepancies in results.
Related links: Editorial Study 1 Study 2