Website intended for a NZ health professional readership
A young woman recovers from a small stroke and questions you about surgical closure of a PFO. Auckland cardiologist Chris Ellis reviews the latest studies to guide your discussion
1. Saver JL, Carroll JD, Thaler DE et al. for the RESPECT Investigators. Long-term outcomes of patent foramen ovale closure or medical therapy after stroke. N Engl J Med 2017;377:1022–32. DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa1610057
2. Søndergaard L, Kasner SE, Rhodes JF et al. for the Gore REDUCE Clinical Study Investigators. Patent foramen ovale closure or antiplatelet therapy for cryptogenic stroke. N Engl J Med 2017;377:1033–42. DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa1707404
3. Mas J-L, Derumeaux G, Guillon B et al. for the CLOSE Investigators. Patent foramen ovale closure or anticoagulation vs. antiplatelets after stroke. N Engl J Med 2017;377:1011–21. DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa1705915
4. Farb A, Ibrahim NG, Zuckerman BD. Patent foramen ovale after cryptogenic stroke – assessing the evidence for closure. N Engl J Med 2017;377:1006–09. DOI: 10.1056/NEJMp1700218
5. Ropper AH. Tipping point for patent foramen ovale closure [editorial]. N Engl J Med 2017;377:1093–95.
Pharmacist prescribers Linda Bryant and Leanne Te Karu discuss positive polypharmacy for heart failure. Current evidence shows the intensive implementation of four medications offers the greatest benefit to most patients with heart failure, with significant reductions in cardiovascular mortality, heart failure hospitalisations and all-cause mortality
