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.
Thanigaraj
Srihari
S
Cardiovascular Division, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 South Euclid Avenue, Box 8086, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA. harit@im.wustl.edu
Zajarias
Alan
A
Valika
Ali
A
Lasala
John
J
Pérez
Julio E
JE
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