Thrombus in transit through a patent foramen ovale: An unusual cause of cardiac embolism

Publication date: Available online 13 December 2019Source: Journal of the Saudi Heart AssociationAuthor(s): Carlos Minguito-Carazo, Tomás Benito-González, Julio Cesar Echarte-Morales, Mario Castaño-Ruiz, Felipe Fernández-VázquezAbstractA 78-year-old woman with a history of transient ischemic attack was admitted for sudden aphasia. In order to assess the potential cardioembolic source an echocardiogram was performed, which revealed a large mass consistent with a thrombus in transit through a patent foramen ovale. Because of the high risk of systemic embolism, emergent surgical thrombectomy was performed with the intention to discharge the patient safely without any new embolic events. This case report highlights the importance of echocardiography in the evaluation of cardioembolic stroke and the requirement of an emergent approach in case of impending paradoxical embolism.
Source: Journal of the Saudi Heart Association - Category: Cardiology Source Type: research