Stroke prevention in elderly by PFO closure vs blood thinners
Treatments studied
Part of Brain & nervous system, Genetic & congenital, Heart & circulation clinical trials.
This trial compares two treatments for preventing another stroke in older adults who have a PFO (a small hole in the heart). It tests whether closing the hole with a device works better than using blood-thinning medication.
Summary written for real people, not researchers, by Clin2.
Who can take part
- You have had a stroke that your doctor believes is linked to a PFO (a small hole between the upper chambers of your heart).
- If you are 18 to 59 years old, your PFO must be high-risk or your RoPE score (a measure of PFO-caused stroke likelihood) is 7 or higher.
- If you are 60 to 90 years old, your PFO must be high-risk or your RoPE score is 4 or higher, and your stroke must have been in the outer part of the brain (cortical infarct).
- You are not participating in this trial if you have a known cause of stroke other than PFO.
- You are not eligible if you have a shunt (blood flow detour) outside the heart.
Quick eligibility check
Answer a few plain-language questions, based on this study's own requirements, to get a preliminary sense of fit.
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