Giant thrombus trapped in foramen ovale with pulmonary embolus and stroke

J Am Soc Echocardiogr. 2004 Aug;17(8):916-8. doi: 10.1016/j.echo.2004.04.020.

Abstract

We describe the case of a young man who, while he was in coma because of a traffic accident, had first a pulmonary embolus and immediately afterwards had a systemic (cerebral) embolus. A transesophageal echocardiographic image revealed a giant thrombi trapped in foramen ovale protruding in right and left ventricles, diagnosing, thus, a paradoxical embolism. The relationship between patent foramen ovale and pulmonary embolism has been reported in some series. Elevated right-chamber pressure caused by pulmonary hypertension could favor the establishment of a right-to-left shunt, causing, in some cases, paradoxical embolisms. We review the clinical implications.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Accidents, Traffic*
  • Adult
  • Coronary Thrombosis / diagnostic imaging*
  • Coronary Thrombosis / etiology*
  • Echocardiography, Transesophageal
  • Embolism, Paradoxical / diagnostic imaging*
  • Embolism, Paradoxical / etiology*
  • Heart Septum*
  • Humans
  • Intracranial Embolism and Thrombosis / etiology
  • Male
  • Pulmonary Embolism / diagnostic imaging
  • Pulmonary Embolism / etiology
  • Stroke / etiology