Transesophageal echocardiography as the final defense in impending paradoxical embolism: a case report.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Impending paradoxical embolism (IPDE) involves venous thrombi crossing a patent foramen ovale, posing high risks of systemic embolization.

Case presentation

A 64-year-old male was admitted to the operation theater due to heart failure symptoms, with the original plan of undergoing atrial mass resection and mitral valve replacement. Intra-operative transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) diagnosed the patient with IPDE and acute pulmonary embolism. And this critical diagnosis immediately altered the surgical decision-making process, which included pulmonary artery thrombectomy. The successful treatment of this case was significantly attributed to the intraoperative TEE examination, which provided essential real-time diagnostic information guiding the surgical approa

SUBMITTER: Chen Z 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12007277 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature