open access

Vol 26, No 1 (2019)
Original articles — Clinical cardiology
Submitted: 2017-11-09
Accepted: 2018-01-21
Published online: 2018-03-02
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Patent foramen ovale closure versus medical therapy after cryptogenic stroke: An updated meta-analysis of all randomized clinical trials

Babikir Kheiri1, Ahmed Abdalla1, Mohammed Osman1, Sahar Ahmed1, Mustafa Hassan1, Ghassan Bachuwa1
DOI: 10.5603/CJ.a2018.0016
·
Pubmed: 29512097
·
Cardiol J 2019;26(1):47-55.
Affiliations
  1. Department of Internal Medicine, Hurley Medical Center, Michigan State University, United States

open access

Vol 26, No 1 (2019)
Original articles — Clinical cardiology
Submitted: 2017-11-09
Accepted: 2018-01-21
Published online: 2018-03-02

Abstract

Background: Cryptogenic strokes can be attributed to paradoxical emboli through patent foramen ovale (PFO). However, the effectiveness of PFO closure in preventing recurrent stroke is uncertain and the results of previous randomized clinical trials (RCTs) have been inconclusive. Hence, this study pro- vides an updated meta-analysis of all RCTs comparing PFO closure with medical therapy for secondary prevention of cryptogenic stroke.

Methods: All RCTs were identified by a comprehensive literature search of PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Collaboration Central Register of Controlled Trials, Scopus, and Clinicaltrials.gov. The primary outcome was recurrent ischemic stroke and secondary outcomes were transient ischemic at- tack (TIA), all-cause mortality, new-onset atrial fibrillation (AF), serious adverse events, and major bleeding.

Results: Five RCTs with 3440 participants were included in the present study (1829 patients under- went PFO closure and 1611 were treated medically). Pooled analysis showed a statistically significant reduction in the rate of recurrent stroke with PFO closure in comparison to medical therapy (OR 0.41; 95% CI 0.19–0.90; p = 0.03). However, there were no statistically significant reductions of recurrent TIAs (OR 0.77; 95% CI 0.51–1.14; p = 0.19) or all-cause mortality (OR 0.76; 95% CI 0.35–1.65; p = 0.48). The risk of developing new-onset AF was increased significantly with PFO closure (OR 4.74; 95% CI 2.33–9.61; p < 0.0001), but no significant differences in terms of serious adverse events or major bleeding between both groups.

Conclusions: Patent foramen ovale closure in adults with recent cryptogenic stroke was associated with a lower rate of recurrent strokes in comparison with medical therapy alone. 

Abstract

Background: Cryptogenic strokes can be attributed to paradoxical emboli through patent foramen ovale (PFO). However, the effectiveness of PFO closure in preventing recurrent stroke is uncertain and the results of previous randomized clinical trials (RCTs) have been inconclusive. Hence, this study pro- vides an updated meta-analysis of all RCTs comparing PFO closure with medical therapy for secondary prevention of cryptogenic stroke.

Methods: All RCTs were identified by a comprehensive literature search of PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Collaboration Central Register of Controlled Trials, Scopus, and Clinicaltrials.gov. The primary outcome was recurrent ischemic stroke and secondary outcomes were transient ischemic at- tack (TIA), all-cause mortality, new-onset atrial fibrillation (AF), serious adverse events, and major bleeding.

Results: Five RCTs with 3440 participants were included in the present study (1829 patients under- went PFO closure and 1611 were treated medically). Pooled analysis showed a statistically significant reduction in the rate of recurrent stroke with PFO closure in comparison to medical therapy (OR 0.41; 95% CI 0.19–0.90; p = 0.03). However, there were no statistically significant reductions of recurrent TIAs (OR 0.77; 95% CI 0.51–1.14; p = 0.19) or all-cause mortality (OR 0.76; 95% CI 0.35–1.65; p = 0.48). The risk of developing new-onset AF was increased significantly with PFO closure (OR 4.74; 95% CI 2.33–9.61; p < 0.0001), but no significant differences in terms of serious adverse events or major bleeding between both groups.

Conclusions: Patent foramen ovale closure in adults with recent cryptogenic stroke was associated with a lower rate of recurrent strokes in comparison with medical therapy alone. 

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Keywords

patent foramen ovale; transcutaneous closure; septal occlude device; atrial tachyarrhythmia

About this article
Title

Patent foramen ovale closure versus medical therapy after cryptogenic stroke: An updated meta-analysis of all randomized clinical trials

Journal

Cardiology Journal

Issue

Vol 26, No 1 (2019)

Pages

47-55

Published online

2018-03-02

Page views

4351

Article views/downloads

2239

DOI

10.5603/CJ.a2018.0016

Pubmed

29512097

Bibliographic record

Cardiol J 2019;26(1):47-55.

Keywords

patent foramen ovale
transcutaneous closure
septal occlude device
atrial tachyarrhythmia

Authors

Babikir Kheiri
Ahmed Abdalla
Mohammed Osman
Sahar Ahmed
Mustafa Hassan
Ghassan Bachuwa

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