A Rare Presentation of Multi-Organ Embolism in a Multifactorial Hypercoagulable State: Case Report

Eva Brysch, Sara Salgado, António Carvalheira Santos, Cristina Bárbara
2021 Acta Médica Portuguesa  
Paradoxical embolism is an uncommon phenomenon, accounting for only 2% of all cases of systemic arterial embolism. This condition suggests the presence of a patent foramen ovale, present in 20% - 25% of the adult population. The authors report the case of a 63-year-old male patient with a history of lung adenocarcinoma and hereditary thrombophilia admitted to hospital with acute onset of dyspnea, diplopia, confusion and decreased motor strength of the right limbs. Cranial computed tomography
more » ... n showed acute ischemic injury in the left posterior cerebral artery and computed tomography pulmonary angiography revealed bilateral pulmonary thromboembolism. A transesophageal echocardiogram confirmed the presence of patent foramen ovale. The patient was treated with anticoagulant therapy with progressive clinical improvement. Due to a high risk of recurrent thromboembolic episodes, the percutaneous closure of patent foramen ovale was performed and anticoagulant therapy was maintained indefinitely.
doi:10.20344/amp.12856 pmid:34715952 fatcat:c2btlbbx7bbkhlgpxksxi6zvpa