Clinical trial Recruiting at 5 sites Interventional Ages 18 to 65

Percutaneous repair of the atrial septum using the P3 Occluder System for PFO closure

Official title: Early Feasibility Study (EFS) Evaluating Percutaneous Repair of the Atrial Septum With a Novel PFO Occluder: The PROTEA-PFO Study

Run by Recross Cardio, Inc. · NCT07172464 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This trial tests the P3 Occluder System to close a patent foramen ovale (PFO) in adults 18–65 who have had a stroke that may be linked to their PFO.

More Patent Foramen Ovale trials

Quick facts

Study typeInterventional
Ages18 Years to 65 Years
SexAll
Enrollment30 (estimated)
SponsorRecross Cardio, Inc.
Industry-sponsored
Locations5 sites (Los Angeles, California and 4 other locations)
StatusRecruiting
StartedOctober 9, 2025
Main results expectedAugust 2026
Study endsFebruary 2031
Registry record updatedJuly 27, 2026
Trial IDNCT07172464 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Ideal candidates are adults aged 18–65 with a confirmed PFO and a recent cryptogenic ischemic stroke, appropriate septal anatomy for the device, and a modified Rankin score of 3 or less.

Probably not a fit

Patients with an identifiable alternative cause of stroke, PFO anatomy unsuitable for the device, age outside 18–65, or higher disability (mRS >3) are unlikely to benefit from this procedure.

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

The trial implants a novel transcatheter device (P3 Occluder System) to close a patent foramen ovale in selected adults with a recent cryptogenic ischemic stroke and suitable cardiac anatomy. Patients who receive the device will have clinic visits at 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year and 5 years, plus phone follow-ups at years 2–4 to monitor safety and stroke recurrence. Eligible participants must be 18–65, have imaging-confirmed stroke and PFO with right-to-left shunt on TEE, and a modified Rankin score of 3 or less. An independent committee reviews PFO anatomy for device suitability before implantation.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the device could lower the chance of another stroke by providing a minimally invasive way to close a PFO.

How similar studies have gone: Other transcatheter PFO closure devices have reduced recurrent stroke risk in selected patients, but the P3 Occluder System is a novel device being tested in an early feasibility setting.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Patient must be ≥ 18 and ≤ 65 years of age
2. Diagnosis of PFO, defined as visualization of microbubbles per TEE in the left atrium within three cardiac cycles from the right atrial opacification demonstrating right-to-left shunting at rest and/or during Valsalva release.
3. Ischemic stroke, defined as acute focal neurological deficit, presumed to be due to focal ischemia and confirmed by MRI or CT to have a neuroanatomically relevant cerebral infarct.
4. Modified Rankin score (mRS) ≤ 3.
5. Appropriate PFO anatomy for implantation of the investigational device as evaluated and determined by independent committee.
6. Patient is willing and capable of providing informed consent.
7. Prior to index procedure (7-day window), persons of childbearing potential must have a negative pregnancy test.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Other identifiable causes of stroke, including but not limited to aortic arch plaques (protruding \>4 mm into the lumen), large artery atherosclerotic disease proximal to the territory of the index stroke, an established cardioembolic source, small-vessel occlusive disease, or arterial dissection, presence of left atrial appendage thrombus.
2. Other arteriopathy of the intracranial or extracranial vessels with \>50% stenosis proximal to the territory of the index stroke.
3. Intracardiac thrombus or tumor.
4. Myocardial Infarction (MI) or unstable angina within the previous 180 days.
5. Life expectancy \< 2 years.
6. Left ventricular aneurysm or akinesis.
7. Moderate to severe mitral valve stenosis or severe mitral regurgitation.
8. Aortic valve stenosis (mean gradient \>20 mmHg) or severe regurgitation.
9. Active endocarditis or other infection that may preclude implantation of the investigational device.
10. Any valve vegetation or Lambl's excrescence of any left-sided valve.
11. Left ventricular dilated cardiomyopathy with LVEF \<35%.
12. Another source of right-to-left shunts identified at baseline, including an atrial septal defect and/or fenestrated septum and pulmonary arteriovenous malformation.
13. History of atrial tachycardia, atrial fibrillation or flutter, AV block, or ventricular arrhythmia requiring antiarrhythmic medication, pacemaker, or AICD.
14. Severe renal failure ( Stage 4 CKD, eGFR \<30) or patient requiring dialysis.
15. Severe liver disease (e.g., documented cirrhosis or active hepatitis).
16. Severe lung insufficiency (e.g., need for supplemental oxygen or chronic steroid medications).
17. Uncontrolled hypertension, defined as sustained elevated blood pressure \>140/90 mm Hg.
18. Severe pulmonary artery hypertension, defined as pulmonary systolic pressure of \>50mmHg.
19. Uncontrolled hyperglycemia, defined as HbA1c value \>8% (IFCC: \>64 mmol/mol).
20. Increased bleeding risk such as severe liver failure, active peptic ulcer, proliferative diabetic retinopathy, history of severe bleeding (e.g.: gastrointestinal bleeding, macroscopic hematuria, intraocular bleeding, intracranial or cerebral hemorrhage), or other history of bleeding or coagulopathy.
21. Known hypercoagulable state that would require full anticoagulation. Minimum testing to include lupus anticoagulant, anticardiolipin antibodies, beta-2-glycoprotein, homocysteine.
22. Subjects contraindicated for aspirin or clopidogrel.
23. Subjects not able to discontinue anticoagulation for indications other than then index stroke.
24. Any disorder in the investigator's opinion that could interfere with compliance of safety evaluation or require premature discontinuation of antiplatelet regime post-implantation, as well as any severe concurrent illness that would limit life expectancy (e.g., malignancies).
25. Currently an active subject in an investigational drug or device study that could confound the results of this study.
26. Any significant valve dysfunction that contraindicates PFO closure or increased pulmonary vascular resistance/severe pulmonary hypertension.
27. Contraindication for transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) or intracardiac echocardiography (ICE).
28. Any prior percutaneous cardiovascular intervention for AF ablation.

Where it's running

  • UCLA
    Los Angeles, California, United States
    Recruiting
  • The Cardiac and Vascular Institute
    Gainsville, Florida, United States
    Recruiting
  • Tufts Medical Center
    Boston, Massachusetts, United States
    Recruiting
  • Columbia University Medical Center/ NewYork Presbyterian Hospital
    New York, New York, United States
    Recruiting
  • Prisma Health - Upstate
    Greenville, South Carolina, United States
    Recruiting

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

  • P3 Occluder System for closing a heart opening (PFO) after stroke

    We are testing the P3 Occluder System to see if it safely and effectively closes a patent foramen ovale in adults who had a stroke related to their heart opening.

    Recruiting Recross Cardio, Inc. · Belgrade · NCT07698951

  • Long-term outcomes after PFO closure at Severance Hospital

    This registry tests how well percutaneous PFO closure works over the long term and what factors predict residual shunt, new atrial fibrillation, or other outcomes in adults who had the procedure.

    Recruiting Yonsei University · Seoul · NCT07724171

  • Transcatheter closure versus medical therapy for PFO in older adults

    This tests whether closing a patent foramen ovale (PFO) with a catheter plus usual medicines prevents another unexplained (cryptogenic) stroke in people over 60 better than medicines alone.

    Recruiting Institut universitaire de cardiologie et de pneumologie de Québec, University Laval · Québec, Quebec and 1 other locations · NCT05907694

  • Evaluating Cera™ devices for closing heart openings in stroke patients

    This study is testing a new device to see if it can safely close heart openings in stroke patients and work as well as other options available.

    Recruiting at 7 sites Lifetech Scientific (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd. · Beijing, Beijing Municipality and 13 other locations · NCT05774288

  • Testing a new device for closing a heart defect related to stroke

    This study is testing a new device to close a heart defect in patients who have had a stroke to see if it works as well as other approved devices.

    Recruiting at 8 sites Encore Medical Inc. · Little Rock, Arkansas and 7 other locations · NCT05537753

  • PFO-Directed Therapy for Migraines: Closing the Hole or Using a Blood Thinner

    This study tests whether closing a patent foramen ovale (PFO) plus 24 weeks of prasugrel works better for long-term migraine relief than prasugrel alone in people whose migraines improve on blood-thinning therapy.

    Recruiting Phase 3 Columbia University · New York, New York · NCT07629635

How to take part

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.