Table 2.

Outcome of PFO conferences, criteria for closure or rejection

Criteria	Number	% (of all referrals)
Panel A: accepted for closure
Cryptogenic stroke + high risk PFO	92	30%
Recurrent cryptogenic stroke + low risk PFO	42	14%
First-ever cryptogenic stroke + other thromboembolic risk factors	4	1%
First-ever cryptogenic stroke + low risk PFO but massive right-to-left passage	4	1%
First-ever cryptogenic stroke + low risk PFO	2	<1%
Patients accepted, all criteria	144	46%
Panel B: rejected for closure
Not stroke/TIA	14	5%
Not cryptogenic stroke	76	24%
First ever cryptogenic stroke + low risk PFO, not recurrent	39	13%
Continuous warfarin indication	13	4%
Other reason	15	5%
Incomplete investigation, decision not possible	10	3%
Patients not accepted, all criteria	167	54%
Total	311	100%

Notes: Other reasons were age >75 years and malignancy. High-risk PFO = PFO with atrial septal aneurysm; low-risk PFO = PFO without atrial septal aneurysm; other thromboembolic risk factor = APC resistance.

Abbreviations: APC, activated protein C; PFO, patent foramen ovale; TIA, transient ischemic attack.