CASE REPORT   

Acta Phlebologica 2018 December;19(3):115-7

DOI: 10.23736/S1593-232X.18.00429-0

Copyright © 2018 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

Concomitant venous thrombo-embolism and acute lower limb ischemia

Nabil A. AL-ZOUBI ✉

Department of Surgery, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan

Paradoxical embolism in association with patent foramen ovale has been rarely documented as a cause of peripheral vascular ischemia. This case highlights the importance of considering acute lower limb ischemia in patients with deep vein thrombosis and massive pulmonary embolism as the condition is associated with potentially limb and life-threatening complications. A 62-year-old female referred to the hospital with acute lower limb ischemia after diagnosis of bilateral deep vein thrombosis and saddle embolus in both pulmonary arteries. During investigations she has been found to have patent foramen ovale. Although paradoxical embolism represents a rare cause of acute ischemic attack of any localization, it should always be suspected in patients with massive pulmonary embolism and immediate recognition of intracardiac shunt must be considered.

KEY WORDS: Embolism, paradoxical - Foramen ovale, patent - Lower extremity - Ischemia