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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg 2002;22:448-449
© 2002 Elsevier Science NL

Case report

Paradoxic aortic arch embolization with occlusion of the supraaortic arteries

Division of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Hannover Medical School, 30623 Hannover, Germany

Received 29 January 2002; received in revised form 3 June 2002; accepted 6 June 2002.

* Corresponding author. Tel.: +49-511-532-6580; fax: +49-511-532-5404
e-mail: walles{at}thg.mh-hannover.de

Pulmonary embolization usually occurs when thrombotic material that originates from deep venous thrombosis of the lower extremities is washed out into the pulmonary vasculature via the blood stream. However, in the presence of a patent foramen ovale (PFO), systemic paradoxic embolization may also occur (Am J Surg 176 (1998) 158). Here, we report on the case of a patient with a PFO, who developed paradoxic embolization of the aortic arch following deep venous thrombosis and massive pulmonary embolism.

Key Words: Paradoxic embolization • Pulmonary embolization • Patent foramen ovale