Patient with patent foramen ovale and thrombophilia, after ischemic stroke, acute coronary syndrome and pulmonary embolism (RCD code: IV-2B.O)

Patent foramen ovale (PFO) is a residue of the foramen ovale, an integral part of the normal fetal circulation. It closes in most of newborns, however 25–30% of adults may have it patent. Conditions such as crytpogenic stroke, migraine and vascular headaches or decompression sickness are strongly related to the presence of PFO. Less frequently acute myocardial infarction, renal infarction or acute mesenteric ischemia may also occur. We present a case of a 67-year-old man after cerebral ischemic episode, acute myocardial infarction treated with primary coronary intervention and pulmonary embolism, who was eventually diagnosed with PFO and factor V Leiden mutation. Life-long anticoagulation was initiated in this patient as a standard-of-care. He additionally underwent successful percutaneous PFO closure. As a result no subsequent thromboembolic complication occurred in this patient at the follow-up period. JRCD 2015; 2 (2): 18–21