A case of pregnancy with a history of paradoxical brain embolism

Brain embolisms in younger persons are rare but are often caused by a paradoxical embolism, the embolic entry of a venous thrombus into the systemic circulation through a right-to-left shunt. A 27-year-old pregnant woman presented with hemiplegia that had been treated with an antiplatelet agent since the occurrence of a paradoxical brain embolism via the pulmonary arteriovenous fistula. A tendency of hypercoagulation is generally observed during pregnancy, so a patient with this condition has a strong risk factor for venous thromboembolism during pregnancy and even more so for arterial thromboembolism under the intense strain of labor, which is much stronger than that of the Valsalva maneuver. This case had been controlled well with an antiplatelet agent and an anticoagulant while the levels of coagulation and fibrinolytic factors were monitored and was followed by a successful pregnancy outcome.     

Paradoxical brain embolism with Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome

Cerebrovascular diseases in patients with Klippel-Trenaunay Syndrome (KTS) are uncommon, and the mechanism of stroke has remained elusive. We describe a patient with KTS who experienced a transient ischemic attack (TIA). Contrast-transcranial Doppler with the Valsalva maneuver revealed a right-to-left shunt and contrast-transesophageal echocardiography confirmed patent foramen ovale. Ultrasonography revealed dilated superficial and deep veins in the lower extremities; the D-dimer level was high and indicated hypercoagulability. Therefore, the mechanism of TIA was diagnosed as paradoxical embolism. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case report of paradoxical embolism in a patient with KTS.     

Impending paradoxical embolism

A 52-year-old woman presented at the emergency department withdeep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism     

Recurrent pulmonary embolism associated with Klippel-Trenaunay-Weber syndrome

Klippel-Trenaunay-Weber syndrome (KTWS) is a rare, congenital disorder characterized by the triad of varicose veins, cutaneous hemangiomas, and hypertrophy of soft tissue and bone. We present the case of a woman with KTWS, cor pulmonale, and death due to recurrent pulmonary embolism (PE). The risk of deep venous thrombosis and PE in patients with KTWS is evaluated, and treatment recommendations are made with emphasis on the role of early, aggressive management in the subset of patients with KTWS known to have thromboembolic disease.     

New aspects of paradoxical embolism

Paradoxical emboli have their origin in the low-pressure venous system and can cause ischemic stroke or peripheral arterial embolism through a cardiac or pulmonary shunt. In most cases, a patent foramen ovale (PFO) is found. About 20 % of the population has a patent foramen ovale. This review gives insight into publications concerning the association between the presence of a patent foramen ovale and cryptogenic stroke; the association of PFO, coagulation disorders and stroke; and recurrence rates of stroke in patients with PFO. Diagnostic features are discussed, as are the different therapy modalities, taking existing national and international guidelines into account. Also, our own recommendations are given. In addition some new information on the potential improvement of migraine after PFO closure is discussed. It is widely accepted that the optimal therapy for the prevention of recurrent stroke in patients with PFO and cryptogenic stroke has not yet been found. Randomized, controlled clinical studies are ongoing in the United States and will give even more insight and answer open questions in the future.     

急性肺栓塞合并矛盾性栓塞12例临床分析

目的 提高对急性肺栓塞合并矛盾性栓塞的临床特点及疗效的认识,减少误诊和漏诊,为制定正确的诊治策略提供依据.方法 回顾性分析我院1963年至2011年临床诊断或经尸体解剖诊断的急性肺栓塞合并矛盾性栓塞病例.结果 急性肺栓塞合并矛盾性栓塞患者12例,男10例,女2例,平均年龄(73±12)岁.伴休克11例,伴晕厥7例,呼吸骤停1例;肺动脉血栓栓塞部位均位于肺动脉主干、骑跨于主肺动脉分叉处或左、右肺动脉干,伴有双侧、多叶段肺动脉栓塞;均有右室增大,卵圆孔开放5例,右心房、右心室血栓3例,左心房血栓3例,卵圆孔骑跨栓3例.体循环动脉栓塞最多见的是脑动脉栓塞(5例),其他有下肢动脉、肾动脉、肝脾动脉及冠状动脉栓塞.临床诊断5例,溶栓治疗3例,均治愈;血栓清除术1例,治愈;单纯抗凝治疗1例,死亡.7例在发病2～6 h死亡,经尸体解剖诊断.结论 急性肺栓塞合并矛盾性栓塞临床并非罕见,血流动力学不稳定,病死率高,应加强诊断意识.临床诊断后及时给予溶栓治疗,可有效改善血流动力学,提高生存率,有溶栓禁忌证及血流动力学持续不稳定可考虑手术清除血栓.     

Pulmonary embolism and paradoxical embolism in a patient with chronic respiratory insufficiency treated with mechanical ventilation

The authors report a case of paradoxical embolism associated with pulmonary embolism in a male patient under mechanical ventilation for chronic respiratory failure. They review the present diagnostic criteria of paradoxical embolism and insist on the determinant contribution of contrast echocardiography to the diagnosis. They also discuss the factors which make this type of patient liable to reopening of the foramen ovale and to paradoxical embolism. The clinical and gasometric characteristics of pulmonary embolism occurring in patients under mechanical ventilation are detailed.     

矛盾栓塞患病现状与思考

矛盾栓塞常和肺动脉栓塞相伴,既可以发生于肺栓塞同时,也可以在肺栓塞之后,当出现肺动脉高压,右心房压高于左心房时,血栓通过卵圆孔在心房水平进入左心体循环系统而造成体循环动脉系统栓塞。以往将此认为是罕见的合并症,但随着对血栓栓塞性疾病的深入研究,发现这一现象并非罕见。本文将对矛盾栓塞的发生和治疗策略选择做一综述。     

肺动脉栓塞合并矛盾性栓塞的诊断与治疗

目的:评价肺动脉栓塞(PE)合并矛盾性栓塞(PDE)的诊断与治疗效果,探讨PE合并PDE的诊断与鉴别诊断方法。方法:回顾性分析1999年2月至2007年1月我院6例PE合并PDE的临床资料。对急性期合并脑PDE采用脱水治疗、加用或不加用溶栓抗凝治疗;对合并脑以外PDE急诊采用选择性溶栓、抗凝或拉栓治疗。对卵圆孔未闭(PFO)或房间隔缺损(ASD)采用手术或介入伞堵封闭。结果:1例行肺动脉血栓内膜剥脱术及PFO缝闭术,3例行PFO介入封堵,1例行ASD介入封堵,1例PFO未治疗。4例PE经手术或溶栓治愈,2例长期抗凝治疗缓解。随访3个月至7年,1例PFO未治疗的患者于2年后再发脑PDE,另5例未再发PDE,随访检查PFO或ASD封堵器无移位,无右向左分流。心功能Ⅰ级4例,Ⅱ级1例,Ⅲ级1例。结论:1.急性期对脑以外PDE应行急诊溶栓、抗凝或拉栓治疗;对脑PDE应行脱水加用或不加用溶栓抗凝治疗。2.手术或介入治疗闭合心内外右向左分流是根治PDE的必要条件。     

Iatrogenic paradoxical air embolism in pulmonary hypertension

Paradoxical systemic air embolism (PAE) occurring as a complication of right-to-left intracardiac shunting during evaluation and treatment of pulmonary hypertension (PH) has not been previously reported. We report four cases of PH-associated PAE recently encountered at our center. Two patients with PH experienced transient neurologic deficits during agitated-saline contrast echocardiography (ASCE), and a patent foramen ovale was subsequently diagnosed in both patients. Two patients with Eisenmenger's syndrome (ES), while receiving epoprostenol via multilumen catheters, experienced transient neurologic deficits while flushing the unused port of the catheter. No patient experienced permanent neurologic deficits. We conclude that ASCE poses a risk for PAE in patients with PH and clinically silent, previously undetected, right-to-left intracardiac shunts, and that multilumen catheters used for long-term epoprostenol therapy in ES carry a risk of PAE.