Risk of Paradoxical Embolism Score

Used in the assessment of patients with cryptogenic stroke who are found to have a PFO. Estimates the likelihood that the stroke was due to the PFO.

Characteristic

Value

Points

5

1

1

1

1

0

Score

9

Score Calculation

Characteristic Points
Age:
18 - 29 +5
30 - 39 +4
40 - 49 +3
50 - 59 +2
60 - 69 +1
≥ 70 0
No hypertension +1
No diabetes +1
Non-smoker +1
No prior stroke/TIA +1
Cortical infarct on imaging +1

Score Interpretation

Score Likelihood of PFO as Cause 2 Year Stroke/TIA Risk
% (95% CI) % (95% CI)
0 - 3 0% (0 - 4) 20% (12 - 28)
4 38% (25 - 48) 12% (6 - 18)
5 34% (21 - 45) 7% (3 - 11)
6 62% (54 - 68) 8% (4 - 12)
7 72% (66 - 76) 6% (2 - 10)
8 84% (79 - 87) 6% (2 - 10)
9 - 10 88% (83 - 91) 2% (0 - 4)

Although the RoPE score is not designed for guiding PFO closure, there is some evidence that patients with RoPE score > 7 are more likely to derive benefit than those with RoPE score ≤ 7.