Arterial embolism in a patient with pulmonary embolism and patent foramen ovale

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Closure of a Patent Foramen Ovale PFO: An Intervention Sequence
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Waiel Abusnina1, Mohammed Megri2, Basel Edris3

  • 1Department of Internal Medicine, Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, Marshall UniversityHuntingtonWest Virginia.

Proceedings (Baylor University. Medical Center)
|June 14, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Paradoxical embolism, a rare complication of pulmonary embolism, can cause arterial occlusion. Prompt recognition in patients with a patent foramen ovale is crucial to prevent severe outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Vascular Surgery
  • Internal Medicine

Background:

  • Paradoxical embolism is an uncommon yet severe complication of pulmonary embolism (PE).
  • Patent foramen ovale (PFO) is present in 25-30% of the population, but the risk of paradoxical embolism is low (<2% of arterial ischemia).

Observation:

  • A case of a 65-year-old woman presented with paradoxical systemic arterial embolism.
  • The embolism was secondary to deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and PE, with an underlying PFO.

Findings:

  • Unexplained arterial occlusion warrants high suspicion for paradoxical embolism.
  • This condition can affect nearly any artery in the body.

Implications:

  • Increased awareness and prompt diagnosis of paradoxical embolism are vital.
  • Timely treatment can prevent significant patient disability and mortality.
Keywords:
Atrial septal aneurysmEustachian valvecryptogenic strokeparadoxical embolismpatent foramen ovalepulmonary embolism

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