Current Insights on Cryptogenic Stroke and Reducing its Risk of Recurrence

Overview

Provider Statement

This continuing medical education activity is provided by .

Support Statement

This activity is supported by an educational grant from W.L. Gore & Associates, Inc.

Activity Description

Ischemic stroke is a leading cause of disability and death in the United States. Cryptogenic stroke, which accounts for approximately 25% of all ischemic stroke, is a brain infarct of undetermined etiology, despite extensive clinical evaluation. Approximately 40% of patients who experience cryptogenic stroke are found to have an atrial septal defect called patent foramen ovale (PFO), which has been associated with an increased risk of recurrent ischemic stroke. The role of transcatheter PFO closure to reduce this risk has undergone considerable debate, and, until recently, limited clinical trial data were available to guide clinicians. Education on this topic is needed to encourage evidence-based treatment and improve patient outcomes. In this monograph, expert faculty discuss new information about the etiology, diagnosis, and treatment of cryptogenic stroke, as well as strategies for prevention of recurrent stroke, and review recent evidence on the safety and efficacy of PFO closure for reducing the risk of recurrent stroke.

Target Audience

The intended audience for this activity is cardiologists, neurologists, and other health care professionals involved in the management of patients with cryptogenic stroke.

Learning Objectives

Upon successful completion of this activity, participants should be better able to:

• Summarize new information about the etiology of cryptogenic stroke and its risk for recurrence.
• Assess the association between PFO and cryptogenic stroke to better understand treatment that may improve outcomes.
• Describe patients who would benefit from PFO closure versus medical therapy alone.
• Evaluate recent evidence regarding the safety and efficacy of PFO closure in reducing the risk of recurrent stroke.)

Activity Chair

John J. Volpi, MD
Co-Director, Eddy Scurlock Stroke Center
Houston Methodist Neurological Institute
Houston, TX

Faculty

Scott E. Kasner, MD
Professor of Neurology
Director, Comprehensive Stroke Center
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA

C. Huie Lin, MD, PhD
Director, Adult Congenital Heart Program
Houston Methodist DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center
Houston, TX

Reviewer

Ronald A. Codario, MD, EMBA, FACP, FNLA, RPVI, CHCP

Medical Writer

Valerie Zimmerman, PhD

Accreditation

Vindico Medical Education is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Credit Designation

Vindico Medical Education designates this enduring material for a maximum of 1.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

This enduring material is approved for 1 year from the date of original release, December 1, 2019, to December 1, 2020.

How to Participate in This Activity and Obtain CME Credit

To participate in this CME activity, you must read the objectives, answer the pretest questions, view the content, and complete the CME posttest and evaluation. Provide only one (1) correct answer for each question. A satisfactory score is defined as answering 7 of 10 posttest questions correctly. Upon receipt of the completed materials, if a satisfactory score on the posttest is achieved, Vindico Medical Education will issue an AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™ Certificate.

Disclosures

In accordance with the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education’s Standards for Commercial Support, all CME providers are required to disclose to the activity audience the relevant financial relationships of the planners, teachers, and authors involved in the development of CME content. An individual has a relevant financial relationship if he or she has a financial relationship in any amount occurring in the past 12 months with a commercial interest whose products or services are discussed in the CME activity content over which the individual has control. Relationship information appears below.

The articles in this monography were composed by medical writer Valerie Zimmerman, PhD, based on the presentations of Drs. Kasner, Lin, and Volpi during an expert panel discussion on August 28, 2019.

The authors disclose that they do have significant financial interests in any products or class of products discussed directly or indirectly in this activity, including research support.

Activity Chair and Faculty report the following relationship(s)

Scott E. Kasner, MD
Consulting Fee: Bayer, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Medtronic
Contracted Research: Medtronic, W.L. Gore

C. Huie Lin, MD, PhD
Speakers Bureau: Abiomed, W.L. Gore

John J. Volpi, MD
Consulting Fee: W.L. Gore
Contracted Research: (paid to institution) W.L. Gore

Reviewer reports the following relationship(s)

Ronald A. Codario, MD, EMBA, FACP, FNLA, RPVI, CHCP
No relevant financial relationship to disclose.

Medical Writer reports the following relationship(s)

Valerie Zimmerman, PhD
No relevant financial relationships to disclose. 

Vindico Medical Education staff report the following relationship(s)

No relevant financial relationships to disclose.

Signed disclosures are on file at Vindico Medical Education, Office of Medical Affairs and Compliance.

Unlabeled and Investigational Usage

The audience is advised that this continuing medical education activity may contain references to unlabeled uses of US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved products or to products not approved by the FDA for use in the United States. The faculty members have been made aware of their obligation to disclose such usage. All activity participants will be informed if any speakers/authors intend to discuss either non–FDA-approved or investigational use of products/devices.

Copyright Statement

Created and published by Vindico Medical Education, 6900 Grove Road, Building 100, Thorofare, NJ 08086-9447. Telephone: 856-994-9400; Fax: 856-384-6680. Printed in the USA. Copyright © 2019 Vindico Medical Education. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission from the publisher. The material presented at or in any of Vindico Medical Education continuing medical education activities does not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of Vindico Medical Education. Neither Vindico Medical Education nor the faculty endorse or recommend any techniques, commercial products, or manufacturers. The faculty/authors may discuss the use of materials and/or products that have not yet been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration. All readers and continuing education participants should verify all information before treating patients or utilizing any product.

CME Questions?

Contact us at cme@vindicoCME.com