PFO tRanscatether Occlusion Long-term Outcomes National Group (PROLONG) Registry

Patent foramen ovale (PFO) has been associated with cryptogenic stroke and transient ischemic attack (TIA) in young adults. Evidence from randomized clinical trials (RCT) has shown that transcatheter PFO closure yields a 59% relative reduction in recurrent ischemic stroke compared to medical therapy in selected individuals. However, the follow-up duration in these studies averaged around 4 years, while only two studies report a median follow-up beyond 10 years. Considering the relative youth of the patients undergoing this procedure (average age being under 50 years across all studies), we can reasonably anticipate a substantial post-PFO closure lifespan for these individuals. Consequently, it is imperative to gather more extensive long-term follow-up data among PFO closure recipients The PROLONG (PFO tRanscatether Occlusion Long-term Outcomes National Group) is an observational, retrospective, multicenter, national registry including men and women undergoing transcatheter PFO closure, with the aim of assessing the long-term (\>10 years) efficacy and safety of this procedure.