Prevalence of patent foramen ovale in the Greek population is high and impacts on the interpretation of the risk of paradoxical embolism (RoPE) score.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The risk of paradoxical embolism (RoPE) score calculates the probability that patent foramen ovale (PFO) is causally related to stroke (PFO attributable fraction, PFOAF), based on PFO prevalence in patients with cryptogenic stroke (CS) compared with that in the general population. The latter has been estimated at 25%; however, PFO prevalence in nonselected populations varies widely.

Methods

Since PFO prevalence in Greece remains unknown, we evaluated it and we calculated PFOAF stratified by RoPE score in a cohort of patients with CS ⩽55 years old. PFO was detected according to the international consensus transcranial Doppler (TCD) criteria in 124 healthy subjects (H), in 102 patients with CS, and in 56 patients with stroke of known cause (nonCS). Each subject unde

SUBMITTER: Koutroulou I 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7758802 | biostudies-literature | 2020

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature