What is the purpose of the DEFENSE-PFO trial?
The purpose of the DEFENSE-PFO trial is to research the effects of patent foramen ovale (PFO) closure or anticoagulation versus antiplatelets after stroke in order to reduce the risk of recurrent stroke. The study was conducted by the CLOSE Investigators and published in the New England Journal of Medicine in 2017. It is one of several research studies that have looked at the effectiveness of PFO closure for reducing the risk of recurrent stroke in patients with cryptogenic stroke.