Risk of Paradoxical Embolism Score
Estimates the likelihood that a patent foramen ovale is causal in cryptogenic stroke.
When to use
Adults with cryptogenic stroke and a documented patent foramen ovale, to estimate causality.
Pearls and pitfalls
- The score awards points for the absence of vascular risk factors and younger age.
- Age 18 to 29 scores 5 points; 70 or older scores 0.
- A score of 7 or more suggests a higher likelihood that the PFO is causal.
- The score alone does not define closure indication; consider anatomy, recurrence risk and preference.
Fill in the fields to see the result.
Formula
Add age (0 to 5), absence of hypertension, diabetes, prior stroke or TIA, smoking and cortical infarct (1 point each).
Evidence
Index derived in a cryptogenic stroke cohort to distinguish causal from incidental patent foramen ovale.
References
- Kent DM, Ruthazer R, Weimar C, et al. An index to identify stroke-related vs incidental patent foramen ovale in cryptogenic stroke. Neurology. 2013;81(7):619-625. doi:10.1212/WNL.0b013e3182a08d59
Frequently asked questions
What is Risk of Paradoxical Embolism Score?
Estimates the likelihood that a patent foramen ovale is causal in cryptogenic stroke. Adults with cryptogenic stroke and a documented patent foramen ovale, to estimate causality.
How is the result calculated?
Add age (0 to 5), absence of hypertension, diabetes, prior stroke or TIA, smoking and cortical infarct (1 point each).
How should the result be interpreted?
Index derived in a cryptogenic stroke cohort to distinguish causal from incidental patent foramen ovale.
What are the sources?
Kent DM, Ruthazer R, Weimar C, et al. An index to identify stroke-related vs incidental patent foramen ovale in cryptogenic stroke. Neurology. 2013;81(7):619-625.