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Article summary:
1. Stroke is a major health issue in Europe, with an estimated 1.5 million people suffering from it every year.
2. Cryptogenic stroke is a type of stroke that has no identifiable cause and accounts for 25-40% of all ischaemic strokes.
3. Percutaneous closure of patent foramen ovale (PFO) using specific devices has been studied as a potential treatment option for cryptogenic stroke, with seven randomized controlled trials (RCTs) completed to compare PFO device closure and medical therapy.
Article analysis:
The article provides an overview of the role of device closure of patent foramen ovale in patients with cryptogenic stroke, based on seven randomized controlled trials (RCTs). The article appears to be well-researched and reliable, providing evidence from multiple studies to support its claims. However, there are some potential biases that should be noted. For example, the article does not explore any possible risks associated with PFO device closure or present both sides equally when discussing the efficacy of this treatment option. Additionally, the article does not provide any information on the cost or availability of these devices or discuss any other alternative treatments that may be available for cryptogenic stroke patients. Furthermore, some of the studies included in the review have limitations such as including patients with TIA not verified by brain imaging and having different antithrombotic therapies in each arm which could affect the results obtained from these studies. Therefore, further research is needed to fully assess the efficacy and safety of PFO device closure as a treatment option for cryptogenic stroke patients before it can be recommended as a viable option.