When does paradoxical embolism occur?

Paradoxical Embolism (PDE) occurs when a thrombus crosses an intracardiac defect into the systemic circulation. Patients may present with symptoms based on the site of the resultant embolization. These sites can include the brain, heart, gastrointestinal tract, or extremities.

What is the most common cardiac defect through which a paradoxical embolism will occur?

Although there are many routes an embolism may take to enter the arterial circulation, the term paradoxical embolism most commonly refers to a clot passing through a patent foramen ovale.

What is paradoxical air embolism?

Paradoxical embolism occurs when air entering the venous circulation passes to the arterial system either through an intracardiac shunt or by overwhelming the capacity of the lungs to filter it.

What is a paradoxical stroke?

Paradoxical embolism occurs when embolic material originating in the venous system or right heart chambers migrates into the systemic circulation through vascular shunts that bypass the pulmonary vasculature. From: Stroke (Seventh Edition), 2022.

Does a PFO increase risk of DVT?

Deep venous thrombosis was detected in nearly 10% of patients with PFO as the sole identifiable cardiac risk factor. Given that in 4 of 5 patients deep vein thrombosis was clinically silent, phlebography should be performed in patients with medium or large interatrial shunts if paradoxical embolism is suspected.

What is Phlegmasia Cerulea Dolens?

Phlegmasia cerulea dolens is an uncommon, severe form of deep venous thrombosis (blood clots in the vein). It most often occurs in the upper leg.

Does PFO cause PE?

Patent foramen ovale causes a paradoxical embolism, when right pulmonary pressures are higher than normal like in the case of to relapsing pulmonary embolism or during a Valsalva.

Does a PFO cause fatigue?

Dr Ross Sharpe explains “The presence of a large PFO can be a cause of stroke but can also result in a myriad of clinical symptoms. These symptoms can include a feeling of breathlessness or fatigue performing normal day to day tasks, such as hanging out the washing or going for a jog.

What percentage of people with a PFO have strokes?

The average risk of a recurrent stroke is 3.8 percent in patients with a PFO and cryptogenic ischemic stroke. Figure 1: Patent foramen ovale. Figure 2: Patent foramen ovale with aneurysmal septum.