Paradoxical coronary artery embolism - A rare cause of myocardial infarction

• Main Authors: Fayaz A Hakim, Evan P Kransdorf, Muaz M Abudiab, John P Sweeney
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2014-01-01
• Series: Heart Views
• Subjects: Coronary artery; embolism; flush occlusion; myocardial infarction; paradoxical
• Online Access: http://www.heartviews.org/article.asp?issn=1995-705X;year=2014;volume=15;issue=4;spage=124;epage=126;aulast=Hakim

Paradoxical coronary artery embolism is a rare, but often an underdiagnosed cause of acute myocardial infarction. It should be considered in patient who presents with chest pain and otherwise having a low risk profile for atherosclerosis coronary artery disease. We describe a case of paradoxical coronary artery embolism causing ST segment elevation myocardial infarction in a patient with upper extremity venous thrombosis. Echocardiography demonstrated a patent foramen ovale (PFO) with bidirectional shunt. In addition to treatment of acute coronary event closure of the PFO should be considered to prevent a recurrence.