The simultaneous occurrence of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary and arterial embolization.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: A 45-year-old female presented with 8 hours of right lower extremity pain and dyspnea. She was tachycardic and her right lower extremity was dusky, cold, and pulseless. DISCUSSION: Computerized tomography of the venous and arterial systems revealed massive pulmonary embolism and right lower extremity arterial and left lower extremity venous thromboses. Management included intra-arterial thrombolytics, right lower extremity arterial embolectomy, and anticoagulation. Echocardiogram revealed a patent foramen ovale (PFO) with a right-to-left shunt. CONCLUSION: We hypothesize that our patient developed deep venous thrombosis that led to major pulmonary embolization and increased right-sided pressures. In the setting of a patent foramen ovale, a later venous embolus transversed the PFO and lodged in the femoral artery. Our case illustrates the importance of a high index of suspicion for a paradoxical embolus in patients with arterial thrombosis.