Literature Review
PFO Is Associated With Increased Risk of Ischemic Stroke After Surgery
Adults with a patent foramen ovale (PFO) who undergo noncardiac surgery appear to have a significantly increased risk of perioperative ischemic...
Because the DEFENSE-PFO study was terminated early for patient safety, it was underpowered to provide a hazard ratio for its primary end point. In addition, selection bias may have affected the study, since it was conducted at a small number of centers.
—Erik Greb
Suggested Reading
Lee PH, Song J-K, Kim JS, et al. Cryptogenic stroke and high-risk patent foramen ovale: The DEFENSE-PFO trial. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2018 Mar 12 [Epub ahead of print].
Mas JL, Derumeaux G, Guillon B, et al. Patent foramen ovale closure or anticoagulation vs. antiplatelets after stroke. N Engl J Med. 2017;377(11):1011-1021.