Patent foramen ovale closure, antiplatelet therapy or anticoagulation in patients with patent foramen ovale and cryptogenic stroke: a systematic review and network meta-analysis incorporating complementary external evidence.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To examine the relative impact of three management options in patients aged <60 years with cryptogenic stroke and a patent foramen ovale (PFO): PFO closure plus antiplatelet therapy, antiplatelet therapy alone and anticoagulation alone.

Design

Systematic review and network meta-analysis (NMA) supported by complementary external evidence.

Data sources

Medline, EMBASE and Cochrane CENTRAL.

Study selection

Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) addressing PFO closure and/or medical therapies in patients with PFO and cryptogenic stroke.

Review methods

We conducted an NMA complemented with external evidence and rated certainty of evidence using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) system.

Results

Ten RCTs

SUBMITTER: Mir H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6067350 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature