Baseline characteristics
| PFO STAR (n = 50) | Amplatzer PFO occluder (n = 50) | p Value | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Values are mean (SD) or per cent. | |||
| CAD, coronary artery disease; EF, ejection fraction; PFO, patent foramen ovale; TIA, transient ischaemic attack. | |||
| Age (years) | 50 (14) | 50 (12) | NS |
| Male sex (%) | 50 | 42 | NS |
| Body mass index (kg/m2) | 26 (5) | 25 (4) | NS |
| Follow up (years) | 2.2 (0.8) | 1.9 (0.6) | 0.02 |
| Cardiovascular risk factors | |||
| Hypertension (%) | 26 | 26 | NS |
| Diabetes mellitus (%) | 2 | 6 | NS |
| Smoking (%) | 32 | 26 | NS |
| Family history of CAD (%) | 24 | 12 | NS |
| Dyslipidaemia (%) | 44 | 48 | NS |
| Embolic index event | |||
| TIA (%) | 34 | 36 | NS |
| Stroke (%) | 64 | 62 | NS |
| Diving accident (%) | 2 | 2 | NS |
| >1 event (%) | 44 | 38 | NS |
| Mean number of events | 1.9 (1.1) | 1.8 (1.1) | NS |