Impending paradoxical embolism: a case report and literature review.

Hargreaves, M; Maloney, D; Gribbin, B; Westaby, S · Eur Heart J · 1994

case_report · Level V

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Abstract

Paradoxical embolism occurs following the passage of embolic material from the venous to the arterial circulation through a right to left shunt--frequently a patent foramen ovale. The diagnosis is usually presumptive when arterial emboli occur in the appropriate clinical setting. We describe a case of impending paradoxical embolism in a patient with massive pulmonary embolism. Transoesophageal echocardiography revealed a thromboembolus straddling a patent foramen ovale. The patient underwent emergency removal of the intracardiac clot with closure of the patent foramen ovale.

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