Abstract 10989: A Meta-Analysis of Transcatheter Closure of Patent Foramen Ovale versus Medical Therapy for Prevention of Recurrent Thromboembolic Events in Patients With Cryptogenic Cerebrovascular Events

Introduction: Although previous observational studies have suggested that transcatheter closure of patent foramen ovale (PFO) decreases the incidence of recurrent neurological events after cryptogenic stroke, three recent randomized trials have failed to demonstrate such benefit. Hypothesis: Percutaneous PFO closure may be better that medical therapy for preventing recurrent thromboembolic events after cryptogenic stroke when data from randomized trials is pooled in a meta-analysis. Methods: Trials were identified from the PubMed and Cochrane databases. Assessed endpoints included: the composite of transient ischemic attack (TIA) and ischemic cerebrovascular accident (CVA), their individual incidence, and other key adverse events. Both intention-to-treat (ITT) and as-treated analyses (AT) were performed. Results: Three randomized controlled trials met inclusion criteria and were included in the analysis. The pooled data provided a total of 2303 patients, of which 1150 were in the PFO closure group (CD) an...