title: Prevention of recurrent stroke in patients with patent foramen ovale.
abstract: Patent foramen ovale (PFO) is common and only rarely related to stroke. The high PFO prevalence in healthy individuals makes for difficult decision making when a PFO is found in the setting of a cryptogenic stroke, because the PFO may be an incidental finding. Recent clinical trials of device-based PFO closure have had negative overall summary results; these trials have been limited by low recurrence rates. The optimal antithrombotic strategy for these patients is also unknown. Recent work has identified a risk score that estimates PFO-attributable fractions based on individual patient characteristics, although whether this score can help direct therapy is unclear.
authors.affiliation: Predictive Analytics and Comparative Effectiveness Center, Institute for Clinical Research and Health Policy Studies, Tufts Medical Center, Tufts University School of Medicine, 800 Washington Street, Box 63, Boston, MA 02111, USA; Division of Cardiology, Tufts Medical Center, 800 Washington Street, Box 63, Boston, MA 02111, USA.
authors.forename: Benjamin S
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Wessler
authors.affiliation: Predictive Analytics and Comparative Effectiveness Center, Institute for Clinical Research and Health Policy Studies, Tufts Medical Center, Tufts University School of Medicine, 800 Washington Street, Box 63, Boston, MA 02111, USA. Electronic address: dkent1@tuftsmedicalcenter.org.
authors.forename: David M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Kent
mesh_terms: D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D054092:Foramen Ovale, Patent / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D012307:Risk Factors; D020521:Stroke / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants
keywords: Cryptogenic stroke; Echocardiography; Ischemic stroke; Patent foramen ovale; Secondary prevention