Abstract
Paradoxical embolism is a rare cause of ischemic stroke. We report the case of a 67-year-old man who had a saddle embolus to the carotid bifurcation successfully treated with emergency embolectomy. Transesophageal echocardiogram revealed a large patent foramen ovale and an easily demonstrable right-to-left shunt. Subsequent investigations revealed proximal deep venous thrombosis in the left femoral and popliteal veins and multiple pulmonary emboli. Long-term anticoagulation was instituted for the diagnosis of paradoxical embolism. The patient's recovery was uneventful, and he remained neurologically intact. A literature review emphasizes the role of transesophageal echocardiography and suggests that paradoxical embolism may be a more common cause of stroke than previously thought. (J Vasc Surg 2001;33:880-2.).
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 880-882 |
Number of pages | 3 |
Journal | Journal of Vascular Surgery |
Volume | 33 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Apr 2001 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Surgery
- Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine