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Updated: Aug 7, 2026

A Porcine Model of Acute Autologous Pulmonary Embolism
Published on: September 6, 2024
Paradoxical coronary emboli following a long-haul airline flight
Rockesh Gurtu1, Richard Grocott-Mason, Mark Mason
1Department of Cardiology, Hillingdon Hospital, Pield Heath Road, Uxbridge, Midddlesex UB8 3NN, UK.
Abstract:
A 33-year-old man presented with an acute myocardial infarction (MI) after a recent long-haul flight. Angiography revealed thrombus in the right and circumflex coronary artery but no underlying atherosclerosis. Echocardiography revealed the presence of an atrial septal defect (ASD). In view of the recent flight, the presence of an ASD and occlusive thrombi in two coronary arteries, it was considered that the pathophysiological cause was paradoxical embolisation. Transcutaneous device closure of the ASD was implemented to prevent further catastrophic paradoxical embolic events.
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