Bilateral Acute Renal Infarction Due to Paradoxical Embolism in a Patient with Eisenmenger Syndrome and a Ventricular Septal Defect

Intern Med. 2021 Dec 15;60(24):3937-3940. doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.7549-21. Epub 2021 Jun 19.

Abstract

A 52-year-old man who was diagnosed with Eisenmenger syndrome due to a muscular-type ventricular septal defect 30 years previously, visited our emergency room after experiencing six hours of severe left flank pain and vomiting. On laboratory examination, azotemia and microscopic haematuria were identified. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography also revealed pulmonary embolism (PE) and bilateral acute renal infarction. The flank pain resolved after heparin was administered for anti-coagulation and aspiration thrombectomy was performed. The patient was discharged on warfarin as anticoagulant therapy. In this case, a paradoxical embolism was considered to have been the cause of PE and bilateral acute renal infarction in a patient with Eisenmenger syndrome.

Keywords: Eisenmenger syndrome; paradoxical embolism; pulmonary embolism; renal infarction.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Acute Kidney Injury*
  • Eisenmenger Complex* / complications
  • Eisenmenger Complex* / diagnosis
  • Embolism, Paradoxical* / complications
  • Embolism, Paradoxical* / diagnosis
  • Heart Septal Defects, Ventricular* / diagnostic imaging
  • Humans
  • Infarction / diagnostic imaging
  • Infarction / etiology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pulmonary Embolism* / diagnostic imaging
  • Pulmonary Embolism* / etiology