Thromboembolus traversing a patent foramen ovale: resolution with anticoagulation

This case report documents echocardiographically a thromboembolus actively traversing a patent foramen ovale in a 72-year-old man with a dilated cardiomyopathy and systemic lupus erythematosis complicated by chronic low-grade disseminated intravascular coagulation and multiple lower extremity deep venous thromboses. With intravenous heparin therapy, there was apparent resolution of this thromboembolus without clinical evidence of systemic embolization.