Secondary Prevention of Cerebral Ischemia in Patent Foramen Ovale: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.(Statistical Data Included)

Southern Medical Journal, July, 2001 by O'MALLEY, PATRICK G.; ORGERA, MARISA A.; TAYLOR, ALLEN J.

ABSTRACT

Background. Therapy for patent foramen ovale (PFO), found with increased frequency in the setting of stroke in the young, is controversial. We compiled a synthesis of the literature on therapeutic options for PFO and stroke.

Methods. Searching MEDLINE (1966 to 1999), published abstracts, and bibliographies of primary and review articles, we identified five retrospective cohort studies that compared at least two different treatment options (antiplatelet therapy, warfarin, or surgery). Outcomes data on mode of therapy and recurrent stroke were abstracted, and pooled analysis was done using a random effects model.

Results. Warfarin was superior to antiplatelet therapy in preventing recurrent ischemic events (odds ratio [OR] 0.37; 95%...

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