PFO Transcatheter Closure vs Medical Therapy
In patients with cryptogenic stroke, when compared with medical treatment, the TC PFO closure may be beneficial in reducing the risk of recurrent vascular events. The benefit of the TC PFO closure may be greater in patients with large degree of shunt, but these findings need to be confirmed in further studies. Finally, it appears that the TC PFO closure increases the risk of new-onset atrial fibrillation and might be associated with the type of device. Despite this increase in new-onset atrial fibrillation, the TC PFO closure showed a possible benefit in reducing the incidence of recurrent neurological events.
Conclusions
In patients with cryptogenic stroke, when compared with medical treatment, the TC PFO closure may be beneficial in reducing the risk of recurrent vascular events. The benefit of the TC PFO closure may be greater in patients with large degree of shunt, but these findings need to be confirmed in further studies. Finally, it appears that the TC PFO closure increases the risk of new-onset atrial fibrillation and might be associated with the type of device. Despite this increase in new-onset atrial fibrillation, the TC PFO closure showed a possible benefit in reducing the incidence of recurrent neurological events.
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