Foramen Ovale Closure after Stroke

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Among adults who had had a cryptogenic ischemic stroke, closure of a PFO was associated with a lower rate of recurrent ischemic strokes than medical therapy alone during extended follow-up. (Funded by St. Jude Medical; RESPECT ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00465270.)

Supported by St. Jude Medical.

 N Engl J Med 2017; 377:1022-1032September 14, 2017DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa1610057
Among patients with a PFO who had had a cryptogenic stroke, the risk of subsequent ischemic stroke was lower among those assigned to PFO closure combined with antiplatelet therapy than among those assigned to antiplatelet therapy alone; however, PFO closure was associated with higher rates of device complications and atrial fibrillation. (Funded by W.L. Gore and Associates; Gore REDUCE ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00738894.)

Supported by W.L. Gore and Associates.

 N Engl J Med 2017; 377:1033-1042September 14, 2017DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa1707404