Limb Ischemia and Dyspnea; A Plausible Indication of Paradoxical Embolism

Coexistence of pulmonary embolism and systemic arterial embolism can be one of the most life threatening conditions, diagnosed as paradoxical embolism which suggests the presence of intra-cardiac defects. The case presented herein, is a 46-year old male with paradoxical emboli. The patient was diagnosed as having pulmonary embolism and unilateral lower extremity arterial emboli through a previously undetected Patent oval foramen oval (PFO). This case shows the importance of evaluating paradoxical embolism in unexplained cases of acute limb ischemia.