Caught in the act: serial, real time images of a thrombus traversing from the right to left atrium across a patent foramen ovale.
OBJECTIVE
To illustrate the association between a patent foramen ovale (PFO) and paradoxical embolization.


RESULTS
We report a unique case of a paradoxical embolization across a PFO noted during a transesophageal echocardiographic study. Serial images demonstrate the thrombus migrating from the superior vena cava to the left atrium across the PFO.


CONCLUSIONS
This case establishes the association between the PFO and paradoxical embolism unequivocally.
Cardiovascular Division, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 South Euclid Avenue, Box 8086, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA. harit@im.wustl.edu
Srihari
S
Thanigaraj
Alan
A
Zajarias
Ali
A
Valika
John
J
Lasala
Julio E
JE
Pérez
D000368:Aged; D017548:Echocardiography, Transesophageal; D019320:Embolism, Paradoxical / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D006325:Heart Atria; D006344:Heart Septal Defects, Atrial / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans