What are the long-term outcomes of patent foramen ovale closure or medical therapy after stroke?
The long-term outcomes of patent foramen ovale closure or medical therapy after stroke have been investigated in the RESPECT study. In this study, patients with cryptogenic stroke were randomized to undergo either PFO closure or medical therapy. The results of the study, which were published in the New England Journal of Medicine, showed that after three years of follow-up, patent foramen ovale closure was associated with a lower risk of recurrent stroke and death compared to medical therapy. The findings of this study suggest that PFO closure may be a more effective treatment option for cryptogenic stroke.