Cost-effectiveness analysis of patent foramen ovale closure with Amplatzer plus medical therapy compared to medical therapy in patients with a history of stroke in France.

Background: A patent foramen ovale (PFO) is formed when the ovale foramen does not close spontaneously or re-opens leaving the right and left atrium connected. The present study was conducted to analyze the cost-effectiveness of PFO closure with Amplatzer device plus medical therapy (MT) compared to MT alone in the French reimbursement system for PFO patients with a prior history of stroke, using the RESPECT study data.

Methods: A multi-state Markov model was used.