Percutaneous Closure of Patent Foramen Ovale in the Setting of Pulmonary Embolism (Right-Left Shunt Causing Severe Hypoxia)

Publication Date

2020

Journal Title

Innovations

Abstract

© The Author(s) 2020. A patent foramen ovale (PFO) is well known to cause paradoxical embolism and stroke, but a less appreciated and life-threatening complication can occur when combined with severe pulmonary embolism (PE). Acutely elevated right-sided pressures from right ventricular strain due to PE can lead to right-to-left (R-L) shunting through the PFO and exacerbate hypoxia. We report a case of a 50-year-old female patient with massive PE with further desaturation from R-L shunting from a PFO that benefitted from percutaneous closure of the interartrial communication. Our patient recovered without any complications and had excellent long-term follow-up.

Volume Number

15

Issue Number

5

Pages

478 - 480

Document Type

Article

Status

Faculty, Northwell Researcher, Northwell Resident

Facility

School of Medicine; Northwell Health

Primary Department

Cardiology

Additional Departments

Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery

PMID

32758050

DOI

10.1177/1556984520933967

For the public and Northwell Health campuses

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