[Paradoxical embolism of the aortic arch diagnosed by transesophageal echocardiography. Surgical treatment].
The authors report the case of a woman who presented with a pulmonary embolism followed by systemic embolism. Transoesophageal echocardiography showed a persistent foramen ovale compatible with a possible paradoxical embolism. In addition, a mobile embolism in the aortic arch was demonstrated. This embolism was extracted under cardiopulmonary bypass to avoid a recurrence of embolism. Transoesophageal echocardiography is the only reliable, non-invasive method allowing simultaneous diagnosis of a right to left shunt and visualisation of the thoracic aorta.
Favre
J P
JP
Service de chirurgie cardiovasculaire, hôpital Nord, Saint-Priest-en-Jarez.
Dacosta
A
A
Gournier
J P
JP
Lafond
P
P
Comtet
C
C
Barral
X
X
D000368:Aged; D001013:Aorta, Thoracic; D001018:Aortic Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D017548:Echocardiography, Transesophageal; D017128:Embolectomy; D004617:Embolism / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006344:Heart Septal Defects, Atrial / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D002542:Intracranial Embolism and Thrombosis / Q000209:etiology; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000209:etiology; D011859:Radiography