PFO closure in ischemic stroke: insights from a single-center real-world cohort - Report - MDSpire

PFO closure in ischemic stroke: insights from a single-center real-world cohort

  • By

  • Felix Müller

  • Arda Civelek

  • Luis Weitbrecht

  • Lukas Badura

  • Kai Helge Schmidt

  • Florian Schlotter

  • Philipp Lurz

  • Stavros V. Konstantinides

  • Karsten Keller

  • Klaus Gröschel

  • Marianne Hahn

  • Timo Uphaus

  • May 8, 2026

  • 0 min

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Clinical Report: Real-World Management of Ischemic Stroke Patients Undergoing PFO Closure

Overview

Revise to include the clinical implications of the RoPE score in PFO closure decisions.

Background

Expand on how PFO management can affect patient outcomes and treatment strategies.

Data Highlights

ParameterPFO Closure (n=62)No Closure (n=126)
Age (years)LowerHigher
RoPE Score6.0 ± 1.74.1 ± 1.5
AS5F ScoreLowerHigher

Key Findings

  • 62 out of 188 patients underwent PFO closure.
  • Patients receiving closure were younger and had fewer cardiovascular risk factors.
  • The RoPE score was significantly higher in the closure group (6.0 vs. 4.1; p < 0.001).
  • AS5F scores were elevated in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF).
  • More than half of patients with recurrent events were classified as cryptogenic.
  • Older patients showed a correlation between higher AS5F scores and AF (cut-off 3.8; p = 0.026).

Clinical Implications

The findings suggest that clinicians should consider both the RoPE and AS5F scores when evaluating PFO closure candidates. Additionally, the high incidence of cryptogenic strokes in this population indicates that PFO may be an underappreciated factor in stroke etiology, warranting further investigation.

Conclusion

Highlight the necessity for additional research into the role of PFO in stroke etiology.

Related Resources & Content

  1. Clinical Research in Cardiology, 2025 -- Transesophageal Echocardiography Prior to Intervention as an Effective Indicator of Residual Shunt After Patent Foramen Ovale Closure
  2. Clinical Research in Cardiology, 2023 -- Incidence of New Atrial Fibrillation Following Percutaneous Closure of Patent Foramen Ovale: A Meta-Analytic Review
  3. Pediatric Cardiology, 2024 -- Recent Advances in Understanding Patent Foramen Ovale in Pediatric Patients
  4. Open Forum Infectious Diseases -- Clinical Features of Patients Diagnosed with Patent Foramen Ovale and Pyogenic Brain Abscess
  5. JAMA Network -- Patent Foramen Ovale and Stroke: A Review
  6. European Stroke Journal, 2024 -- Current Guidelines on PFO Closure
  7. European Stroke Organisation Guidelines
  8. Patent Foramen Ovale and Stroke: A Review | Congenital Defects | JAMA | JAMA Network

Original Source(s)

PFO closure in ischemic stroke: insights from a single-center real-world cohort

  • by Felix Müller, Arda Civelek, Luis Weitbrecht, Lukas Badura, Kai Helge Schmidt, Florian Schlotter, Philipp Lurz, Stavros V. Konstantinides, Karsten Keller, Klaus Gröschel, Marianne Hahn, Timo Uphaus

  • May 8, 2026

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