Large paradoxical embolus through a patent foramen ovale following
arteriovenous graft thrombectomy
Abstract
An 86-year-old man with end-stage renal disease on hemodialysis with an
arteriovenous fistula in his left upper extremity presented to his
hemodialysis session with thrombosis of his arteriovenous fistula. The
patient underwent surgical thrombectomy. The patient later showed
evidence of peripheral embolization and livedo reticularis.
Transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiograms revealed a large
thrombus (5x2 cm) in the left atrium prolapsing to the right atrium via
a patent foramen ovale and another thrombus (white arrow) adherent to
the apical wall of the right ventricle. The thrombus in the left atrium
was intermittently crossing the mitral valve and entering the left
ventricle.