Percutaneous Closure versus Medical Therapy Alone for Cryptogenic Stroke Patients with a Patent Foramen Ovale: Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Of cryptogenic stroke patients younger than 55 years of age, up to 61% have had a patent foramen ovale (PFO). Observational studies have revealed reductions in recurrent neurologic events through PFO closure versus medical therapy, and randomized controlled trials have shown nonsignificant trends toward benefit. We systematically searched for randomized controlled trials of percutaneous PFO closure with medical therapy versus medical therapy...