Population characteristics, cardiovascular risk factors and medical treatment before PFO closure
| Patients’ characteristics (n=217) | n (%) |
|---|---|
| Age (years) (mean±SD) | 49±12 |
| Male gender | 121 (55.8) |
| Dyslipidaemia | 74 (34.0) |
| Smoking: current or history | 69 (31.8) |
| Arterial hypertension | 46 (21.2) |
| Diabetes mellitus | 8 (3.7) |
| Stroke before PFO closure | 171 (78.8) |
| TIA before PFO closure | 42 (19.4) |
| Peripheral embolism | 4 (1.8) |
| Antithrombotic treatment before PFO closure (n=217) | n (%) |
| No treatment | 19 (8.8) |
| Aspirin alone | 32 (14.7) |
| Clopidogrel alone | 4 (1.8) |
| Oral anticoagulation | 152 (70.0) |
| Low-molecular-weight heparin | 11 (5.0) |
| Aspirin and clopidogrel | 17 (7.8) |
| Oral anticoagulation+aspirin or clopidogrel | 9 (4.1) |
Data are presented as n (%), unless otherwise indicated.
PFO, patent foramen ovale; TIA, transient ischaemic attack.