Association of a patent foramen ovale with myocardial infarction and pulmonary emboli in a peripartum woman

Am J Med Sci. 2010 Oct;340(4):326-8. doi: 10.1097/MAJ.0b013e3181e732b2.

Abstract

Peripartum myocardial infarction is uncommon but devastating in young women. Although it is generally associated with arterial dissection, pregnancy-induced hypercoagulable state can also be a major contributor. Association of patent foramen ovale (PFO) adds to this potential risk. A 29-year-old postpartum female presented with worsening chest pressure, shortness of breath and syncope. She was hypotensive and tachycardic. A ventilation perfusion imaging displayed high probability for pulmonary emboli. With elevated cardiac enzymes and echocardiogram showing wall motion abnormalities, patient underwent percutaneous coronary angioplasty for a midvessel thrombus in the left anterior descending artery. Further workup showed a thrombus straddling into the left atrium via a PFO and a deep venous thrombus in the right iliac vein. Hormonal changes in pregnancy are noted to place young women in a hypercoagulable state. Screening for PFO in this group of patients with timely intervention might prevent a major systemic event caused by paradoxical embolus.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Coronary Angiography
  • Echocardiography, Transesophageal
  • Embolism, Paradoxical / diagnosis
  • Embolism, Paradoxical / etiology*
  • Embolism, Paradoxical / therapy
  • Female
  • Foramen Ovale, Patent / complications*
  • Foramen Ovale, Patent / diagnosis
  • Foramen Ovale, Patent / surgery
  • Humans
  • Myocardial Infarction / diagnosis
  • Myocardial Infarction / etiology*
  • Myocardial Infarction / therapy
  • Pregnancy
  • Puerperal Disorders / diagnosis
  • Puerperal Disorders / etiology*
  • Puerperal Disorders / therapy
  • Pulmonary Embolism / diagnosis
  • Pulmonary Embolism / etiology*
  • Pulmonary Embolism / therapy
  • Risk Factors