Paradoxical embolus after multiple trauma resulting in a cerebrovascular accident.
We present the case of a 57-yr-old patient who suffered an unexplained cerebrovascular event 3 days after being struck by a motor vehicle. Workup demonstrated a previously unknown patient foramen ovale. The etiologies of paradoxical embolism in trauma are discussed.


CONCLUSIONS
Paradoxical embolism after multiple traumas is described. Delay in diagnosis may occur given the need for near continuous sedation in the patient with injuries undergoing multiple surgeries and diagnostic tests.
Price
Mark D
MD
*Division of Health Sciences and Technology and †Department of Anaesthesia and Critical Care, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
Kanake
Pranay
P
Talmor
Daniel
D
D000063:Accidents, Traffic; D002544:Cerebral Infarction / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology; D017548:Echocardiography, Transesophageal; D006344:Heart Septal Defects, Atrial / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D020766:Intracranial Embolism / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009104:Multiple Trauma / Q000150:complications*; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures; D012121:Respiration, Artificial; D020521:Stroke / Q000209:etiology*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed