Pulmonary Embolism With Serpentine Thrombus Straddling a Patent Foramen Ovale.

ABSTRACT:

Background

A thrombus straddling patent foramen ovale (PFO) is rare. We present a case of timely diagnosis and surgical management of a life-threatening straddling thrombus in a PFO and pulmonary embolism, utilizing advanced imaging techniques and emergency thrombectomy.

Case summary

We used multimodality imaging (transthoracic echocardiography, transesophageal echocardiography, computed tomography angiography) to confirm and assess a straddling thrombus in the PFO and pulmonary artery, identifying key findings such as a snake-like thrombus crossing the PFO and pulmonary thromboembolism, and performed emergency surgical thrombectomy to remove the thrombus, prevent embolism, and reduce mortality risk.

Discussion

Limited literature describes PFO-straddling thrombus via

SUBMITTER: Wang S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12402381 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature