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Updated: May 11, 2026

Closure of a Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO): An Intervention Sequence
Published on: December 23, 2022
Paradoxical embolism and pulmonary embolism in a patient with patent foramen ovale: a case report
Ana Ferreira1, Alfredo Cerqueira, Sérgio Sampaio
1Serviço de Angiologia e Cirurgia Vascular do Centro Hospitalar de S. João, Porto, Portugal.
Abstract:
Paradoxical embolism may occur in patients with acute pulmonary thromboembolism, when a patent foramen ovale(PFO) coexists with a right to left shunt associated to pulmonary hypertension. We presented the case of a 83 year old woman with paradoxical embolism to both legs, in the setting of pulmonary embolism. She was successfully treated with peripheral thrombectomy and anticoagulation. Patent foramen ovale closure wasn't performed because of its small size and right to left shunt absence after clinical stability.
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