Pulmonary embolus and patent foramen ovale: a rare cause of refractory hypoxaemia.

Brydon, C; Fawcett, W J; Treasure, T; Clarke, J T · Br J Anaesth · 1993

case_report · Level V

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Abstract

A patient with a large pulmonary embolus is described. The striking features were those of cardiovascular stability with hypoxaemia and hypercapnia. Cardiac catheterization confirmed the pulmonary embolus; in addition there was found to be a patent foramen ovale (PFO), causing a large right-to-left shunt. Removal of the pulmonary embolus and closure of the PFO dramatically improved alveolar-arterial oxygen gradient and ventilatory requirements.

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