Unmasking a patent foramen ovale during recurrent paradoxical cerebral embolism

South Med J. 1994 Jan;87(1):84-6. doi: 10.1097/00007611-199401000-00019.

Abstract

A patient with an acute ischemic stroke had an interatrial septal aneurysm shown by transesophageal echocardiography. Interatrial shunting, compatible with a patent foramen ovale, was observed on a follow-up study after a second stroke. This was seen in association with a right atrial thrombus. This case illustrates that an interatrial septal aneurysm serves as a marker for potential interatrial shunting, which can lead to paradoxical cerebral embolism.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Cerebral Infarction / etiology
  • Diagnostic Errors
  • Echocardiography, Transesophageal
  • Female
  • Heart Septal Defects, Atrial / complications*
  • Heart Septal Defects, Atrial / diagnostic imaging
  • Humans
  • Intracranial Embolism and Thrombosis / etiology*
  • Middle Aged
  • Recurrence