Objective To improve the knowledge of paradoxical embolism originated from pulmonary embolism. Methods The medical literature about pulmonary embolism complicated with paradoxical embolism from 1998 to 2011 was searched from “Wanfang medical literature database”. Meanwhile 1 case diagnosed in Central Hospital of Dazhou City was reported. Then the clinical characteristics were summarized. Results 51 cases of pulmonary embolism complicated with paradoxical embolism were diagnosed, aged from23 to 76 years old. There were 27 males and 23 females, and sex was unknown in 1 case. In all cases, the cerebral embolism occurred in 30 cases( 58. 8% ) , lower limb artery embolism in 14 cases( 27. 4% ) , kidney artery embolism in 6 cases( 11. 8% ) , patent foramen ovale with straddling thrombus in 4 cases( 8% ) ,multiple embolismin 8 cases( 15. 7% ) , heart ventricle with straddling thrombus in 1 case ( 1. 96% ) , coronary artery embolism in 1 case( 1. 96% ) , aorta embolism in 1 case( 1. 96% ) , and spleen embolism in 1 case ( 1. 96% ) . There were 35 patients ( 68. 8% ) with patent foramen ovale and 7 cases ( 13. 7% ) died. Conclusions Paradoxical embolism waranted more awareness in the cases of pulmonary embolismand/ or venous thromboembolism and aggressive screening might avoid misdiagnosis.
In general, surgical closure of patent foramen ovale (PFO) in patients without inter atrial shunt is unnecessary. There is a b association of PFO with paradoxical embolism (PDE) and ischemic cerebral infarction, and reports on patients with PFO related cryptogenic stroke after coronary artery bypass grafting and various surgical cases of heart or lung are being increasingly published in recent years. These findings powered the interest of anesthesiologists, and cardiothoracic surgeons, in spite of the fact that numerous neurologist and cardiologist have greatly payed attention to these events already. This article surveys the current advance of knowledge to delineate the principal mechanism, clinical presentation, diagnostic strategies and treatment options in patients with PFO, atrial septal aneurysm and PDE, and focuses on careful consideration and effective management of patient who was suddenly presented with a cryptogenic stroke or transient ischemic attack followed by cardiothoracic operations.