title: Paradoxical coronary artery embolism - a rare cause of myocardial infarction.
abstract: Paradoxical coronary artery embolism is a rare, but often an underdiagnosed cause of acute myocardial infarction. It should be considered in patient who presents with chest pain and otherwise having a low risk profile for atherosclerosis coronary artery disease. We describe a case of paradoxical coronary artery embolism causing ST segment elevation myocardial infarction in a patient with upper extremity venous thrombosis. Echocardiography demonstrated a patent foramen ovale (PFO) with bidirectional shunt. In addition to treatment of acute coronary event closure of the PFO should be considered to prevent a recurrence.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Diseases, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, Arizona, USA.
authors.forename: Fayaz A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Hakim
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Diseases, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, Arizona, USA.
authors.forename: Evan P
authors.initials: EP
authors.lastname: Kransdorf
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Diseases, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, Arizona, USA.
authors.forename: Muaz M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Abudiab
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Diseases, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, Arizona, USA.
authors.forename: John P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Sweeney
keywords: Coronary artery; embolism; flush occlusion; myocardial infarction; paradoxical