Thrombus entrapped by patent foramen ovale in a patient with pulmonary embolism: a case report

Abstract

Thrombus-in-transit appears to increase the risk of mortality compared to pulmonary embolism alone and can require alteration in therapeutic plan. We present the case of a biatrial thromboembolus caught in transit across a patent foramen ovale diagnosed by intraoperative transesophageal echocardiogram in a 69-year-old female with acute pulmonary embolism and subsequent acute cerebral infarction. We suggest that echocardiography should be performed in a patient with suspected pulmonary thromboembolism to evaluate right heart function and diagnose emboli in transit.

Large thrombus-in-transit within a patent foramen ovale in a patient with pulmonary embolism: a case report

“…A large thrombus trapped in a PFO is a very rare finding. [3][4][5][6] In the present case, the large thrombus trapped in the PFO was mostly a presumptive diagnosis by TTE. For clearer images in such cases, TEE should be performed.…”

Thrombus in transit through a patent foramen ovale, an unusual cause of cardiac embolism

“…Despite the reported prevalence of PFO of approximately 26% in the general population, the presence of a migrated thrombus in transit across it, also called IPE, is an extremely rare event with a diverse clinical presentation which varies from being asymptomatic to massive pulmonary or systemic thromboembolism [ 1 , 2 ]. Since the first case diagnosed by TTE and confirmed by surgery was reported in 1985 [ 3 ], there had been few more cases published in the literature and little is known about the optimal therapeutic approach.…”