Thrombus Entrapped in a Patent Foramen Ovale: A Potential Source of Pulmonary and Systemic Embolism

Kearney, Leighton G.; Srivastava, Piyush M.

doi:10.1016/j.hlc.2008.12.003

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Volume 19, Issue 1 , Pages 58-60, January 2010

Thrombus Entrapped in a Patent Foramen Ovale: A Potential Source of Pulmonary and Systemic Embolism☆

Leighton G. Kearney, MBBS
- Department of Cardiology, Austin Health, Level 5 North Austin Tower, 145 Studley Road, Heidelberg, Victoria 3084. Australia
- Department of Medicine, Austin Health and Northern Health, The University of Melbourne, Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital, Building 24, 300 Waterdale Road, Heidelberg Heights, Victoria 3081, Australia
- Corresponding author at: The University of Melbourne, Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital, Department of Medicine, Austin Health and Northern Health, Building 24, 300 Waterdale Road, Heidelberg Heights, Victoria 3081, Australia. Tel.: +61 3 9496 2362; fax: +61 3 9497 4554.
Piyush M. Srivastava, MBBS
- Department of Cardiology, Austin Health, Level 5 North Austin Tower, 145 Studley Road, Heidelberg, Victoria 3084. Australia
- Department of Medicine, Austin Health and Northern Health, The University of Melbourne, Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital, Building 24, 300 Waterdale Road, Heidelberg Heights, Victoria 3081, Australia

Received 15 May 2008; received in revised form 8 October 2008; accepted 11 December 2008.

Patent foramen ovale (PFO) occurs in up to 30% of the population, making it the most common site for intra-cardiac shunting. The passage of thrombus across a PFO is typically transient, thus is rarely proven. We describe a rare case of a 79-year-old man with thrombus entrapped across a PFO providing a source for ongoing pulmonary and systemic thromboembolism, despite systemic anticoagulation. There is a paucity of literature to guide primary management of this condition. Management options include surgical thrombectomy with PFO closure, thrombolysis and systemic anticoagulation. The role of percutaneous PFO closure devices for secondary prevention of thromboembolic complications is currently under investigation.

Keyword: Echocardiography

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☆ This work is not under active consideration for publication, has not been accepted for publication, nor has it been published, in full or part. All authors have read and approved the manuscript.

PII: S1443-9506(08)01006-8

doi:10.1016/j.hlc.2008.12.003

« Previous Next »Heart, Lung and Circulation
Volume 19, Issue 1 , Pages 58-60, January 2010

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