Stopping blood thinners after closing a heart defect in young stroke patients

Discontinuation of Antithrombotic Treatment Following Patent Foramen Ovale Closure in Young Patients With Cryptogenic Stroke. The HALTI Trial

NA · Institut universitaire de cardiologie et de pneumologie de Québec, University Laval · NCT04475510

This study is testing if young stroke patients can safely stop taking blood thinners a year after having a heart defect fixed.

Quick facts

PhaseNA
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment100 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 60 Years
SexAll
SponsorInstitut universitaire de cardiologie et de pneumologie de Québec, University Laval (other)
Locations1 site (Québec, Quebec)
Trial IDNCT04475510 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study aims to evaluate the safety of discontinuing antithrombotic treatment one year after successful closure of a patent foramen ovale (PFO) in young patients who have experienced a cryptogenic stroke. The research focuses on the potential for reduced bleeding risks associated with long-term antiplatelet therapy, which may outweigh the risk of ischemic events. By analyzing outcomes in patients who have undergone transcatheter PFO closure, the study seeks to determine if shorter-term antiplatelet treatment is a viable option for this population. The findings could lead to improved management strategies for young stroke patients post-PFO closure.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are young patients aged 60 or younger who have had a cryptogenic stroke and successfully undergone PFO closure.

Not a fit: Patients over 60 years old or those with significant cardiovascular risk factors or recurrent cerebrovascular events may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to safer treatment protocols that minimize bleeding risks for young patients after PFO closure.

How similar studies have performed: Preliminary data from similar studies suggest that discontinuing antiplatelet therapy may not increase the risk of ischemic events, indicating potential success for this approach.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Successful transcatheter PFO closure with any approved device
* Patients ≤60 years diagnosed with a cryptogenic stroke/TIA who have undergone successful transcatheter PFO closure

Exclusion Criteria:

-\>60 year-old

* RoPE score \<6
* Residual shunt ≥moderate following PFO closure
* Atrial fibrillation following PFO closure
* Presence of ≥2 cardiovascular risk factors (smoking, hypertension, dyslipidemia)
* Diabetes mellitus
* Thrombophilia (factor V Leiden, factor II mutation, anticardiolipin antibodies, lupus anticoagulant, anti-b2 glycoprotein-I antibodies, protein C deficiency, protein S deficiency)
* Recurrent cerebrovascular event (stroke, TIA) within the year following PFO closure
* Failure to provide signed informed consent
* Absolute contraindications for an MRI study

Where this trial is running

Québec, Quebec

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Patent Foramen Ovale, Ischemic Stroke, Bleeding Ulcer, Transcatheter Patent Foramen Ovale closure, Bleeding, Young patients

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 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.