title: Pulmonary embolism: a late complication of a correctly positioned occluder device for patent foramen ovale.
abstract: We describe a patient with pulmonary embolism originating from right atrial thrombosis that developed at least 18 months after patent foramen ovale (PFO) device implantation. On surgical inspection, the PFO device was found to be correctly positioned, stable and well endothelialized. We then hypothesize that current smoker status, double antiplatelet regimen discontinuation and mild hyperhomocysteinaemia may have had a role in determining this severe, unexpected and late complication in this patient.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, 'Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza' Hospital, IRCCS, San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy. carlovigna@libero.it
authors.forename: Carlo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Vigna
authors.forename: Gian Luigi
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Mazzoccoli
authors.forename: Tiberio
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Santoro
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Di Eusanio
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Loperfido
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation; D020878:Device Removal; D004452:Echocardiography; D005260:Female; D054092:Foramen Ovale, Patent / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D020138:Hyperhomocysteinemia / Q000150:complications; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D012086:Reoperation; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery
chemical_list: D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors