Patent foramen ovale as a potential cause of paradoxical embolism in the postpartum period.
We report a case of previously healthy woman who suffered cerebral embolism after delivery. Echocardiography with contrast medium confirmed the patent foramen ovale (PFO). PFO may be a mechanism of paradoxical embolism causing a transient ischemic attack or stroke.
Department of Cardiovascular Diseases, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Slovenia. mirta.kozelj@mf.uni-lj.si
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Kozelj
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Novak-Antolic
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Grad
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Peternel
D000328:Adult; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001034:Apgar Score; D001724:Birth Weight; D004452:Echocardiography; D019320:Embolism, Paradoxical / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006344:Heart Septal Defects, Atrial / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006400:Hematocrit; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis; D006493:Heparin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008423:Maternal Age; D016104:Oligohydramnios / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D010121:Oxytocin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D049590:Postpartum Period; D011247:Pregnancy; D018566:Pregnancy, High-Risk; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014859:Warfarin / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000925:Anticoagulants; D006454:Hemoglobins; D010121:Oxytocin; D014859:Warfarin; D006493:Heparin