What is the benefit of closure with a transcatheter device in patients 18 to 60 years of age with a nonlacunar ischemic stroke of undetermined cause and a PFO?
In patients 18 to 60 years of age with a nonlacunar ischemic stroke of undetermined cause despite a thorough evaluation and a PFO with high-risk anatomic features, it is reasonable to choose closure with a transcatheter device and long-term antiplatelet therapy over antiplatelet therapy alone for preventing recurrent stroke. Two trials compared device closure with antiplatelet treatment alone, and each trial showed a significant benefit of PFO closure.