Abstract 33: PFO in Cryptogenic Stroke: An Analysis of “High Risk” Features on Transesophageal Echocardiography in the Risk of Paradoxical Embolism Database

Stroke ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 44 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin Wessler ◽  
David E Thaler ◽  
Marco R Di Tullio ◽  
Robin Ruthazer ◽  
Christian Weimar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Risk ◽  
Cohort Studies ◽  
Transesophageal Echocardiography ◽  
Patent Foramen Ovale ◽  
Imaging Techniques ◽  
Cryptogenic Stroke ◽  
Paradoxical Embolism ◽  
Attributable Fraction ◽  
Foramen Ovale ◽  
Additional Imaging

Introduction: A patent foramen ovale (PFO) discovered in the setting of a cryptogenic stroke (CS) may be stroke-related or incidental. We have developed a score to stratify CS patients according to the probability that the event is attributable to a PFO (the Risk of Paradoxical Embolism (RoPE) Score), based on easily obtainable clinical and neuroradiological (but not transesophageal echocardiographic (TEE) variables. In this study, we examined whether putative “high risk” TEE features - shunt size, presence of a hypermobile septum, and presence of a right-to-left shunt at rest - vary across RoPE Score strata. Methods and Results: The RoPE Study combined existing cohort studies to create a pooled database of patients with CS and PFO. We dichotomized patients into groups and examined whether putative high risk TEE features are seen more frequently in those with “probable stroke-related” PFOs (RoPE Score of >6, estimated PFO attributable fraction 72-99%, n=637) than in those with lower RoPE Scores (<6, PFO attributable fraction 0-71%, n=657). None of the TEE features differed between the groups (large physiologic size, p=0.53; hypermobile septum, p=0.44; shunt at rest, p=0.11). Extensive additional exploratory analyses did not reveal any consistent associations between different RoPE Score strata and presumptive high risk echocardiographic features. Conclusion: We found no evidence that proposed TEE markers for “high risk” PFOs correlate with the estimated likelihood that a PFO is related to an index CS. Additional imaging tools or better standardization of imaging techniques are needed to determine whether specific anatomic features are associated with whether a discovered PFO is likely to be related to CS.

scholarly journals Importance of Contrast Transthoracic Echocardiography for Evaluating Large Right-to-Left Shunt in Patent Foramen Ovale Associated with Cryptogenic Stroke

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yoichi Takaya ◽  
Rie Nakayama ◽  
Teiji Akagi ◽  
Fumi Yokohama ◽  
Takashi Miki ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Risk ◽  
Transesophageal Echocardiography ◽  
Transthoracic Echocardiography ◽  
Patent Foramen Ovale ◽  
Transcatheter Closure ◽  
Cryptogenic Stroke ◽  
Effective Therapy ◽  
Foramen Ovale

Abstract Transcatheter closure of patent foramen ovale (PFO) is an effective therapy for preventing cryptogenic stroke (CS). The identification of high-risk PFO, which is more likely to be linked to CS, is essential. This study aimed to assess the accuracy of contrast transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) for evaluating large right-to-left (RL) shunt. We enrolled 119 patients with or without CS who were confirmed to have PFO. The severity of RL shunt evaluated by contrast TTE and transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) was classified as follows: small (<10 microbubbles), moderate (10–20 microbubbles), and large (>20 microbubbles). With contrast TTE, large RL shunt was observed in 94 (79%) of 119 patients, including 66 of 74 with CS and 28 of 45 without CS. With contrast TEE, large RL shunt was observed in 33 (28%) patients, including 26 with CS and 7 without CS. Contrast TTE showed large RL shunt more frequently than contrast TEE (p < 0.01). Large RL shunt evaluated by contrast TTE had a sensitivity of 89% and an accuracy of 70% for the association with CS, whereas large RL shunt evaluated by contrast TEE had a sensitivity of 35% and an accuracy of 56%. Accuracy was significantly greater in contrast TTE than in contrast TEE (p = 0.02). In conclusion, contrast TTE identified large RL shunt more frequently. Large RL shunt evaluated by contrast TTE provided greater accuracy for the association with CS. Our findings suggest that contrast TTE is valuable for evaluating large RL shunt as high-risk PFO.

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

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 ◽  
pp. 175628642096467
Author(s):  
Ioanna Koutroulou ◽  
Georgios Tsivgoulis ◽  
Dimitris Karacostas ◽  
Ignatios Ikonomidis ◽  
Nikolaos Grigoriadis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Healthy Subjects ◽  
Patent Foramen Ovale ◽  
Valsalva Maneuver ◽  
Cryptogenic Stroke ◽  
Paradoxical Embolism ◽  
Attributable Fraction ◽  
Greek Population ◽  
Foramen Ovale ◽  
International Consensus ◽  
Very High

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 underwent unilateral middle cerebral artery recording after infusion of agitated saline, at rest, and after a controlled Valsalva maneuver. We characterized PFO as large (>20 microbubbles or curtain), moderate (11–20), and small (⩽10). Results: PFO was detected in 42.7% of H, 49% of CS, and 25% of nonCS ( p = 0.013). Large PFOs were numerically higher in CS [28.4% (29/102)] compared with H [19.3% (24/124); p = 0.1] and to nonCS [7.1% (4/56), p = 0.04]. The median RoPE score in patients with CS and PFO was seven. Even patients with very high RoPE score (9–10) had moderate PFOAF (57%). For any individual stratum up to RopE score 8, PFOAF was <33%. Conclusions: PFO prevalence in the Greek population is much higher than the widely accepted 25%. PFO may be the cause of stroke in one out of nine Greek patients with CS. Among Greek CS patients who harbor a PFO, the latter is causal in one out of five. The established RoPE score cutoff of ⩾7 for having a probable PFO-associated stroke may overestimate the probability in patients deriving from populations with high PFO prevalence.

scholarly journals Risk of Paradoxical Embolism (RoPE)–Estimated Attributable Fraction Correlates With the Benefit of Patent Foramen Ovale Closure

Stroke ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 51 (10) ◽  
pp. 3119-3123
Author(s):  
David M. Kent ◽  
Jeffrey L. Saver ◽  
Robin Ruthazer ◽  
Anthony J. Furlan ◽  
Mark Reisman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Relative Risk ◽  
Risk Reduction ◽  
Patent Foramen Ovale ◽  
Relative Risk Reduction ◽  
Cryptogenic Stroke ◽  
Paradoxical Embolism ◽  
Attributable Fraction ◽  
Patient Specific ◽  
Foramen Ovale ◽  
Pfo Closure

Background and Purpose: In patients with cryptogenic stroke and patent foramen ovale (PFO), the Risk of Paradoxical Embolism (RoPE) Score has been proposed as a method to estimate a patient-specific “PFO-attributable fraction”—the probability that a documented PFO is causally-related to the stroke, rather than an incidental finding. The objective of this research is to examine the relationship between this RoPE-estimated PFO-attributable fraction and the effect of closure in 3 randomized trials. Methods: We pooled data from the CLOSURE-I (Evaluation of the STARFlex Septal Closure System in Patients With a Stroke and/or Transient Ischemic Attack due to Presumed Paradoxical Embolism through a Patent Foramen Ovale), RESPECT (Randomized Evaluation of Recurrent Stroke Comparing PFO Closure to Established Current Standard of Care Treatment), and PC (Clinical Trial Comparing Percutaneous Closure of Patent Foramen Ovale [PFO] Using the Amplatzer PFO Occluder With Medical Treatment in Patients With Cryptogenic Embolism) trials. We examine the treatment effect of closure in high RoPE score (≥7) versus low RoPE score (<7) patients. We also estimated the relative risk reduction associated with PFO closure across each level of the RoPE score using Cox proportional hazard analysis. We estimated a patient-specific attributable fraction using a PC trial–compatible (9-point) RoPE equation (omitting the neuroradiology variable), as well as a 2-trial analysis using the original (10-point) RoPE equation. We examined the Pearson correlation between the estimated attributable fraction and the relative risk reduction across RoPE strata. Results: In the low RoPE score group (<7, n=912), the rate of recurrent strokes per 100 person-years was 1.37 in the device arm versus 1.68 in the medical arm (hazard ratio, 0.82 [0.42–1.59] P =0.56) compared with 0.30 versus 1.03 (hazard ratio, 0.31 [0.11–0.85] P =0.02) in the high RoPE score group (≥7, n=1221); treatment-by-RoPE score group interaction, P =0.12. The RoPE score estimated attributable fraction anticipated the relative risk reduction across all levels of the RoPE score, in both the 3-trial ( r =0.95, P <0.001) and 2-trial ( r =0.92, P <0.001) analyses. Conclusions: The RoPE score estimated attributable fraction is highly correlated to the relative risk reduction of device versus medical therapy. This observation suggests the RoPE score identifies patients with cryptogenic stroke who are likely to have a PFO that is pathogenic rather than incidental.

scholarly journals Importance of contrast transthoracic echocardiography for evaluating large right-to-left shunt in patent foramen ovale associated with cryptogenic stroke

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yoichi Takaya ◽  
Rie Nakayama ◽  
Teiji Akagi ◽  
Fumi Yokohama ◽  
Takashi Miki ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Risk ◽  
Transesophageal Echocardiography ◽  
Transthoracic Echocardiography ◽  
Patent Foramen Ovale ◽  
Transcatheter Closure ◽  
Cryptogenic Stroke ◽  
Effective Therapy ◽  
Foramen Ovale

Background: Transcatheter closure of patent foramen ovale (PFO) is an effective therapy for preventing cryptogenic stroke (CS). The identification of high-risk PFO, which is more likely to be linked to CS, is essential. This study aimed to assess the accuracy of contrast transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) for evaluating large right-to-left (RL) shunt. Methods: We enrolled 119 patients with or without CS who were confirmed to have PFO. The severity of RL shunt evaluated by contrast TTE and transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) was classified as follows: small (<10 microbubbles), moderate (10–20 microbubbles), and large (>20 microbubbles). Results: With contrast TTE, large RL shunt was observed in 94 (79%) of 119 patients, including 66 of 74 with CS and 28 of 45 without CS. With contrast TEE, large RL shunt was observed in 33 (28%) patients, including 26 with CS and 7 without CS. Contrast TTE showed large RL shunt more frequently than contrast TEE (P < .01). Large RL shunt evaluated by contrast TTE had a sensitivity of 89% and an accuracy of 70% for the association with CS, whereas large RL shunt evaluated by contrast TEE had a sensitivity of 35% and an accuracy of 56%. Accuracy was significantly greater in contrast TTE than in contrast TEE (P = .02). Conclusion: Contrast TTE identified large RL shunt more frequently. Large RL shunt evaluated by contrast TTE provided greater accuracy for the association with CS. Our findings suggest that contrast TTE is valuable for evaluating large RL shunt as high-risk PFO.

scholarly journals The RoPE Score and Right-to-Left Shunt Severity by Transcranial Doppler in the CODICIA Study

2015 ◽  
Vol 40 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 52-58 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin S. Wessler ◽  
David M. Kent ◽  
David E. Thaler ◽  
Robin Ruthazer ◽  
Jennifer S. Lutz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Transesophageal Echocardiography ◽  
Multicenter Study ◽  
Transcranial Doppler ◽  
Patent Foramen Ovale ◽  
Cryptogenic Stroke ◽  
Rank Correlation ◽  
Paradoxical Embolism ◽  
Foramen Ovale ◽  
C Statistic

Background: For patients with cryptogenic stroke (CS) and patent foramen ovale (PFO), it is unknown whether the magnitude of right-to-left shunt (RLSh) measured by contrast transcranial Doppler (c-TCD) is correlated with the likelihood an identified PFO is related to CS as determined by the Risk of Paradoxical Embolism (RoPE) score. Additionally, for patients with CS, it is unknown whether PFO assessment by c-TCD is more sensitive for identifying RLSh compared with transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). Our aim was to determine the significance of RLSh grade by c-TCD in patients with PFO and CS. Methods: We evaluated patients with CS who had RLSh quantified by c-TCD in the Multicenter Study into RLSh in Cryptogenic Stroke (CODICIA) to determine whether there is an association between c-TCD shunt grade and the RoPE Score. For patients who underwent c-TCD and TEE, we determined whether there is agreement in identifying and grading RLSh between these two modalities. Results: The RoPE score predicted the presence versus the absence of RLSh documented by c-TCD (c-statistic = 0.66). For patients with documented RLSh by c-TCD, shunt severity was correlated with increasing RoPE score (rank correlation (r) = 0.15, p = 0.01). Among 293 patients who had both c-TCD and TEE performed, c-TCD was more sensitive (98.7%) for detecting RLSh. Of the 97 patients with no PFO identified on TEE, 28 (29%) had a large amount of RLSh seen on c-TCD. Conclusions: For patients with CS, severity of RLSh by c-TCD is positively correlated with the RoPE score, indicating that this technique for shunt grading identifies patients more likely to have pathogenic rather than incidental PFOs. c-TCD is also more sensitive in detecting RLSh than TEE. These findings suggest an important role for c-TCD in the evaluation of PFO in the setting of CS.

Patent Foramen Ovale, the Role of Antiplatelet Therapy Alone or Anticoagulant Therapy Alone Versus Device Closure for Cryptogenic Stroke: A Review of the Literature and Current Recommendations

2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 135-150
Author(s):  
Harsha S. Nagarajarao ◽  
Chandra P. Ojha ◽  
Archana Kedar ◽  
Debabrata Mukherjee
Keyword(s):  
Patent Foramen Ovale ◽  
Cryptogenic Stroke ◽  
Narrow Channel ◽  
Paradoxical Embolism ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Foramen Ovale ◽  
The Right ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Current Guidelines

: Cryptogenic stroke and its relation to the Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO) is a long-debated topic. Recent clinical trials have unequivocally established the relationship between cryptogenic strokes and paradoxical embolism across the PFO. This slit-like communication exists in everyone before birth, but most often closes shortly after birth. PFO may persist as a narrow channel of communication between the right and left atria in approximately 25-27% of adults. : In this review, we examine the clinical relevance of the PFO with analysis of the latest trials evaluating catheter-based closure of PFO’s for cryptogenic stroke. We also review the current evidence examining the use of antiplatelet medications versus anticoagulants for stroke prevention in those patients with PFO who do not qualify for closure per current guidelines.

Patent Foramen Ovale Device Closure in a 27 Years Old Young Lady with Cryptogenic Ischaemic Stroke - First Case Report from Bangladesh

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 227-234
Author(s):  
AQM Reza ◽  
Aparajita Karim ◽  
Mahmood Hasan Khan ◽  
Kazi Atiqur Rahman ◽  
Md Aliuzzaman Joarder ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ischaemic Stroke ◽  
Patent Foramen Ovale ◽  
Incidental Finding ◽  
Cryptogenic Stroke ◽  
Paradoxical Embolism ◽  
Foramen Ovale ◽  
Coagulation Therapy ◽  
First Case ◽  
Treatment Paradigm ◽  
Meta Analyses

A patent foramen ovale (PFO) is highly prevalent in patients with strokes of unknown cause or cryptogenic strokes (CSs). It has been remained an unsolved question as to whether a PFO should be closed or not to prevent recurrent strokes in patients diagnosed with cryptogenic stroke (CS). A paradoxical embolism through a PFO is pointed as a leading cause of CS, especially in younger patients with low risk factors for stroke. It also remains an unsolved matter on type of anti-coagulation therapy, which would be better for patients with CS and a PFO. In addition, surgical and transcutaneous closure of a PFO has been proposed for the secondary prevention of stroke in patients with CS with PFO. Several randomized controlled trials have been conducted in recent years to test whether a PFO closure gives a significant benefit in the management of CS. Many investigators believed that a PFO was an incidental finding in patients with CS. However, meta-analyses and more recent specific trials have eliminated several confounding factors and possible biases and have also emphasized the use of a shunt closure over medical therapy in patients with CS. Therefore, these latest studies can possibly change the treatment paradigm in the near future. We are reporting a case of cryptogenic ischaemic stroke in middle cerebral artery territory due to paradoxical embolism through a PFO which was successfully closed with a device solely by a Bangladeshi Consultant & his team first time in Bangladesh. Cardiovasc. j. 2021; 13(2): 227-234

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