Paradoxical embolism and a patent foramen ovale.
Patients who sustain an unexplained stroke or peripheral ischemic event should be examined for paradoxical embolism via right-to-left shunting. The confirmation of a patent foramen ovale by echocardiography is simple and noninvasive, and should suggest the possibility of a right-sided embolic source. Unrecognized right-to-left shunting that allows paradoxical embolism may be more frequent than generally recognized.
Kulpeksa
J
J
Department of Internal Medicine, James H. Quillen College of Medicine, Johnson City, USA.
Jobson
B
B
Byrd
R P
RP
Roy
T M
TM
D000328:Adult; D004452:Echocardiography; D019320:Embolism, Paradoxical / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D006344:Heart Septal Defects, Atrial / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed