ISSN 1016-5169 | E-ISSN 1308-4488
pdf
Thrombus entrapped in a patent foramen ovale, causing only vague symptoms [Turk Kardiyol Dern Ars]
Turk Kardiyol Dern Ars. 2009; 37(8): 563-565

Thrombus entrapped in a patent foramen ovale, causing only vague symptoms

Celal Genç1, Mehmet Uzun2
1Department of Cardiology, Haydarpaşa Training Hospital
2Department of Cardiology, Gülhane Miltary Medical School, Ankara

Patent foramen ovale provides a passage from venous circulation to arterial circulation. This may allow passage of a thrombus formed in the venous system into the systemic circulation. We present a case in which a thrombus was entrapped in a patent foramen ovale. A 45-year-old woman presented with complaints of atypical chest pain and pretibial edema. Transthoracic echocardiography showed normal systolic function and grade I diastolic dysfunction. Pulmonary artery pressure was 43 mmHg. There was a mobile multilobular mass in the right atrium, attached to the interatrial septum via a thin pedicle. Transesophageal echocardiography showed a biatrial mass. It was 7-10 mm thick, multilobular, homogeneously echogenic, and highly mobile. It passed through the patent foramen ovale into the left atrium. The left atrial part was 6-8 mm thick, relatively shorter, and less mobile. The patient denied any symptoms related to a cerebrovascular accident. Heparin was initiated and an urgent operation was decided. Intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography showed that the mass was a thrombus which had become smaller due to anticoagulation. She had no neurologic symptoms postoperatively. Venous Doppler examination revealed deep vein thrombosis and warfarin was started.

Keywords: Echocardiography, embolism, paradoxical, foramen ovale, patent/diagnosis/surgery; pulmonary embolism; thrombectomy; thrombosis/diagnosis.

How to cite this article
Celal Genç, Mehmet Uzun. Thrombus entrapped in a patent foramen ovale, causing only vague symptoms. Turk Kardiyol Dern Ars. 2009; 37(8): 563-565

Corresponding Author: Mehmet Uzun, Türkiye
Manuscript Language: English


Journal Metrics

Journal Citation Indicator: 0.18
CiteScore: 1.1
Source Normalized Impact
per Paper:
0.22
SCImago Journal Rank: 0.348

Quick Search



Copyright © 2024 Archives of the Turkish Society of Cardiology



Kare Publishing is a subsidiary of Kare Media.