PFO Closure vs. Anti-Thrombotic Therapy for Cryptogenic Stroke: Meta-Analysis of 6 Trials

Six randomized trials with 3,560 total patients compare percutaneous patent foramen ovale closure to anti-thrombotic therapy for preventing recurrent cryptogenic stroke. The dataset includes primary outcomes of stroke, transient ischemic attack, and a composite endpoint, along with safety outcomes like serious adverse events and atrial fibrillation. The meta-analysis was conducted by author Jay Tewari, with evidence searched through September 2025 and the dataset last updated in May 2026.

Use Cases

• Compare composite endpoint rates (stroke, TIA, death, systemic embolism) between treatment groups based on the reported hazard ratios.
• Assess the risk-benefit profile of PFO closure by analyzing the increased atrial fibrillation risk versus reduced stroke recurrence.
• Investigate subgroup treatment effects based on patient characteristics like sex, age under 45, and shunt size mentioned in the description.
• Validate or update systematic review findings on PFO closure using the included trial data and search methodology described.

Strengths

• Includes data from 6 randomized controlled trials, a key standard for clinical evidence.
• Reports specific patient counts (1,889 closure vs. 1,671 therapy) and event numbers (e.g., 84 vs. 152 composite events).
• Provides precise statistical measures including hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals for key outcomes.

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment for certain analytical tasks.
• Data may reflect temporal or source bias inherent to the included trials and the figshare platform.

Provenance

Source

Systematic review and meta-analysis of trials from MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Central.

Collection Method

Randomized evidence comparing PFO closure with antithrombotic therapy, searched through September 2025.

Time Range

Temporal coverage of the included trials is not specified, but literature search was current through September 2025.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-05-08 08:40:05; freshness should be verified.