title: Paradoxical embolism via a sinus venosus atrial septal defect causing an inferior ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction in a 23-year-old woman.
abstract: Cerebrovascular accidents constitute the most frequent clinical manifestation of paradoxical embolism. However, it is becoming increasingly recognised that acute myocardial infarction is also an important and potentially life-threatening clinical manifestation of paradoxical embolism. Various intracardiac or pulmonary shunts can provide a convenient conduit for an embolus to traverse from the venous vasculature into the systemic circulation with potentially devastating consequences. We present the case of a 23-year-old woman presenting with chest pain and ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction who ultimately was found to have a sinus venosus atrial septal defect associated with both partial anomalous pulmonary venous drainage and a persistent left superior vena cava.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Stadtspital Triemli, Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Crochan John
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: O'Sullivan
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Stadtspital Triemli, Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Juan Getulio Andras
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Magarzo
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Stadtspital Triemli, Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Alain Marcel
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Bernheim
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Stadtspital Triemli, Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Franz
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Robert Eberli
mesh_terms: D017023:Coronary Angiography; D004452:Echocardiography; D019320:Embolism, Paradoxical / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D006344:Heart Septal Defects, Atrial / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D011667:Pulmonary Veins / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D000072657:ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D014683:Vena Cava, Superior / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D055815:Young Adult