[Paradox arterial embolism: diagnosis during life]

Paradoxical systemic embolism in the absence of congenital heart disease is often considered a clinical or pathologic rarity. We have recently observed two cases of paradoxical systemic emboli, secondary to massive pulmonary embolization in the presence of a patient foramen ovale in an otherwise normal heart. One case was lethal and the diagnosis was confirmed at autopsy. The other case was diagnosed by cardiac catheterization with dye dilution curves and the patient recovered after recurrences were prevented by the placement of an inferior vena cava umbrella-filter. Paradoxical embolization should be suspected when systemic emboli occur without an apparent cause. The diagnosis can be established by cardiac catheterization, pulmonary angiography and phlebography, and recurrences can be prevented by anticoagulation and partial interruption of the inferior vena cava, when the emboli arise from its territory.