Trapped venous embolus in a patent foramen ovale causing recurrent paradoxical embolism

The combination of deep venous thrombosis, patent foramen ovale and arterial emboli suggests the diagnosis of paradoxical embolism. In these cases, only very rarely, a causal relationship between the venous thrombus and the patent foramen can be established. An instructive case of trapped venous embolism within the foramen ovale is described proving a causal relationship between arterial embolism and its venous origin.