Paradoxical embolism due to open foramen ovale with atrial septal aneurysm as a cause of myocardial infarction in a young male

Int J Cardiovasc Imaging. 2005 Dec;21(6):629-32. doi: 10.1007/s10554-005-4708-z.

Abstract

Paradoxical embolism is a rare cause of myocardial infarction. We present a case of a young man who was admitted to our hospital with an inferior myocardial infarction. Coronary arteriography showed a total distal occlusion of a posterolateral branch of the circumflex artery. Contrast-enhanced echocardiography showed a large atrial septal aneurysm with a patent foramen ovale and massive right-to-left shunting. No other sources of cardiac embolism could be identified. In this case, paradoxical embolism probably has resulted in myocardial infarction.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Coronary Angiography
  • Embolism, Paradoxical / complications*
  • Embolism, Paradoxical / diagnosis
  • Heart Aneurysm / complications*
  • Heart Septal Defects, Atrial / complications*
  • Heart Septal Defects, Atrial / diagnostic imaging
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Myocardial Infarction / etiology*
  • Ultrasonography