Related Experiment Videos
Arterial emboli of venous origin
Surgery, Gynecology & Obstetrics
|January 1, 1992
Summary
An arterial embolus of venous origin is a rare cause of systemic emboli when the source is unknown. Diagnosis involves identifying venous thrombus and right-to-left shunting, with heparin as the primary treatment.
Area of Science:
- Vascular Medicine
- Cardiology
- Diagnostic Imaging
Background:
- Systemic emboli often have an undetermined source, necessitating consideration of less common etiologies.
- Arterial emboli of venous origin (AVO) represent a diagnostic challenge in patients with unexplained embolic events.
Observation:
- Four patients with AVO were diagnosed prospectively over 20 years.
- A literature review identified 40 additional cases meeting AVO diagnostic criteria.
- Noninvasive imaging confirmed venous thrombus and intracardiac shunting in diagnosed patients.
Findings:
- AVO can be diagnosed during a patient's lifetime.
- Noninvasive methods are effective for diagnosing AVO by detecting venous thrombus and right-to-left shunts.
- Heparin is the primary therapeutic intervention for AVO.
Implications:
- Considering AVO in patients with unexplained systemic emboli can lead to timely diagnosis.
- Noninvasive diagnostic modalities aid in identifying the venous source and intracardiac defects.
- Heparin therapy is effective, while caval interruption should be reserved for select cases.