[Paradoxical embolism and ischemia of the digestive tract].
The digestive tract is an uncommon location of acute ischemia, especially when caused paradoxical embolism. We report the case of a 69-year-old patient initially hospitalized for a acute ischemia of the upper limb. Physical examination and complementary tests enabled the diagnosis of paradoxical embolism with bilateral pulmonary embolism leading to elevated pressure in the pulmonary arteries, which opened the oval foramen. The patient also presented ischemia involving the digestive trunks, the upper limb and the kidneys. Rapid diagnosis is a major challenge in this condition controlling the prognosis of this uncommon disease.
Kaladji
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A
Service de chirurgie vasculaire, CHU de Rennes, hôpital Pontchaillou, 35033 Rennes cedex 9, France. kaladrien@hotmail.fr
Gérard
F
F
Audinet
C
C
Cardon
A
A
D000368:Aged; D001132:Arm / Q000098:blood supply*; D001794:Blood Pressure; D004064:Digestive System / Q000098:blood supply*; D004562:Electrocardiography; D019320:Embolism, Paradoxical / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D054092:Foramen Ovale, Patent / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D007511:Ischemia / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D017538:Mesenteric Artery, Superior / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D011651:Pulmonary Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011859:Radiography; D014463:Ultrasonography