title: Paradoxical embolism and aortic occlusion: a case report.
abstract: This is the case report of a 45-year-old woman who sustained a left popliteal artery embolism. Ten days after popliteal embolectomy, she developed sudden occlusion of the distal aorta. She required a bifemoral embolectomy. Transesophageal echocardiogram demonstrated an atrial septal aneurysm and a septal defect with a right to left shunt. A venogram showed deep venous thrombosis in the right leg as the potential source of the embolism. Paradoxical embolization should be considered when ever an unexplained arterial occlusion occurs, especially in younger patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Vascular Surgery, Marienhospital, University Aachen, Germany.
authors.forename: E H
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: Paes
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Greven
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Heredia
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D001012:Aorta, Abdominal; D001018:Aortic Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D019320:Embolism, Paradoxical / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006322:Heart Aneurysm / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D006344:Heart Septal Defects, Atrial / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D007511:Ischemia / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D007866:Leg / Q000098:blood supply; D008875:Middle Aged; D011150:Popliteal Artery