March 15, 2021 Five-year results from the randomized REDUCE trial show a continued benefit of patent foramen ovale (PFO) closure compared with antiplatelet therapy alone for the prevention of cryptogenic stroke. “Most importantly, this supports the idea that PFO closure in appropriately selected patients has a durable effect with longer-term safety,” lead author Scott Kasner, MD (University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia), told TCTMD. “Of the prior studies, only one had long-term data. That was the RESPECT PFO trial. The others were all of similar length to the original Gore results [from REDUCE], so it's helpful to know that we have good safety and efficacy data that go out for a longer period of time for more than one device now.”