Randomized trials of closure of persistent foramen ovale (PFO) vs medical therapy for patients with cryptogenic stroke — Effect of lost-to-follow-up and withdrawal of consent

Foramen ovale is a remnant of the fetal circulation that can be found in all newly born infants and that remain open in about a quarter of adults and the presence of a persistent, or patent, foramen ovale, PFO is associated with cryptogenic stroke [1]. In several observational case-series, cohort studies and registries, device closure of PFO is associated with a significantly lower risk of recurrent stroke or transitory ischemia attacks, TIAs. In the three until today published randomized trials this has not been corroborated however [2–4].
Source: International Journal of Cardiology - Category: Cardiology Authors: Tags: Correspondence Source Type: research