• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.82 no.2
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• pp.435-439
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• 2021

While there is a high prevalence of patent foramen ovale in adults, paradoxical embolism via a patent foramen ovale is rare. Previous echocardiographic studies indicated that paradoxical embolism might only occur in patients with high-risk features of patent foramen ovale (i.e., large defect size, presence of a Eustachian valve, and high right atrial pressure). Here, we present a case of patent foramen ovale with high-risk CT features for paradoxical embolism.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.37 no.5
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• pp.733-740
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• 2016

Objective: To evaluate the effects of integrative treatment with conventional and Korean medicine on cerebral infarction due to presumed paradoxical embolism through a patent foramen ovale. Methods: We applied acupuncture, herbal medication, western medication, and physical therapy routinely every day and applied fluid therapy provided as needed. The NIHSS, K-MBI, MRS, MMT, and MMSE-K score were determined to assess any improvement in symptoms. Results: Scores appeared to be improved for the NIHSS (9 to 5), K-MBI (94 to 100), MRS (2 to 1), MMT (2+, 4 to 4, 4), MMSE-K (24 to 26). No side effects were observed during the treatment. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that integrative treatment with conventional and Korean medicine may be an effective option for treating cerebral infarction due to a presumed paradoxical embolism through a patent foramen ovale.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.118-121
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• 2015

Cardiogenic embolic stroke accounts for approximately 20% of ischemic strokes and the likelihood of its recurrence is high. Paradoxical embolism may be an important cause of cardioembolic stroke, which can be evaluated through multiple diagnostic modalities including transesophageal echocardiography (TTE) or transcranial Doppler. A persistent left superior vena cava (PLSVC) is a rare congenital vascular anomaly, which mainly drains to the right atrium via the coronary sinus. Although rare, PLSVC draining into the left heart predisposes the patient to paradoxical embolism through a right-to-left shunt. We report on a 78-year-old female patient with an ischemic stroke associated with PLSVC draining into the left atrium through the pulmonary vein, which was investigated via TTE with an agitated saline test and computed tomography.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.37 no.12
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• pp.1010-1014
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• 2004

Though acute pulmonary thromboembolism is usually managed medically with the use of thrombolytics or anticoagulants, an emergent life-saving surgery would be required. In a case of acute pulmonary thromboembolism with acute severe right heart failure and deferment of it could result in fatal outcomes in a short time. In addition, the mortality is raised considerably if it is combined with right heart thrombi. Despite paradoxical thromboembolism via patent foramen ovale was reported, few report might be presented, in which showed the thrombus in right atrium has traversed atrial septal defect into left atrium and left ventricle like this case as the evidence of paradoxical thromboembolism. We report a case of acute pulmonary thromboembolism with acute right heart failure arising from deep vein thrombosis, developed immediately after low anterior resection for colon cancer in a 63-year-old male, who was managed successfully by emergent thromboembolectomy with cardiopulmonary bypass.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.216-220
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• 2005

Pulmonary arteriovenous fistulas(PAVFs) is a rare disorder that occurs in two to three children per 100,000 population. It is presented as absence of intervening capillary beds between the pulmonary artery and vein with resultant persistent right to left shunt. Other causes include trauma, liver cirrhosis, malignancy and schistosomiasis. It is mostly asymptomatic, but it may present with respiratory difficulty, cyanosis, clubbed fingers induced by right to left shunt or hemoptysis, polycythemia and epistaxis. Major complications, such as brain abscess, brain embolism, paradoxical embolism and subacute infective endocarditis can be devastating, so therapeutic intervention is recommended in all patients. However, removal of low-resistance fistulas can aggrevate pulmonary hypertension, so detection of increased pulmonary pressure is important. We report two patients : One a 42 year-old male with PAVFs treated with coil embolization, and a 42 year-old female who was treated with anticoagulants due to pulmonary hypertension.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.335-340
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• 1986

Pulmonary arteriovenous fistula is unusually congenital malformation consisting of an abnormal connection between a pulmonary artery and vein. It may appear as an isolated anomaly or with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasis. In the classic form, symptoms and signs are caused by the abnormal right to left shunt. since severe clinical symptoms such as paradoxical embolism, infection, and spontaneous rupture with massive bleeding may occur, surgical treatment is often indicated. Recently we have experienced a surgical treatment of pulmonary arteriovenous fistula in 54 years old housewife. She was admitted in May 1986 with recurrent hemoptysis for 1 month. On admission, the PaO2 was 65.2 mmHg without specific findings. Pulmonary arteriovenous fistula was confirmed by preoperative pulmonary arteriography. A well circumscribed cystic mass was noted in visceral subpleural and inferior lingular segment of left upper lobe. Left upper lobectomy was performed with good results. Histologically angiomatous dilatation of abnormal vessels embedded in lung parenchyma was noted. Postoperative PaO2 was 90 mmHg. Postoperative results were good.

• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.105-108
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• 2018

Persistent left superior vena cava (PLSVC) is a common venous anomaly of the thorax and usually drains into the right atrium. Less often it drains into the left atrium and has previously been related to ischemic stroke. We report a case of PLSCV that founded during ischemic stroke evaluation in a 77-year-old woman which was detected on transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) and transcranial Doppler ultrasonography (TCD) with saline agitated test and computed tomography.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.660-663
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• 1996

Pulmonary arteriovenous fistula is relatively rare disease, and the most common types are congenital in origin. The clinical presentation of pulmonary arteriovenous fistula ranges from incidental finding on a chest roentgenogram to polycythemia, cyanosis, congestive heart failure, and major neurologic deficits caused by paradoxical embolism. Recently we have experienced a case of asymptomatic, well-localized pulmonary arteriovenous fistula In a 13 years-old female patient, which was successfully treated by thoracoscopic lobectomy.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.54 no.3
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• pp.214-217
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• 2021

In rare cases, levoatrial cardinal vein may occur as an isolated condition without additional congenital anomalies. Depending on the direction and flow of the shunt, this pathology may produce symptoms; alternatively, it may be asymptomatic, as in the case presented in this study. In asymptomatic cases, complications, such as paradoxical embolism and brain abscess, can arise later. In the 11-year-old patient whose case is presented here, the levoatrial cardinal vein was asymptomatic and incidentally detected. The percutaneous closure method was applied first. However, by 16 hours after the procedure, the occluder device had embolized to the iliac artery. Emergency surgery was performed; first, the occluder device was removed, and levoatrial cardinal vein ligation was then performed via a mini-thoracotomy. The symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment modalities of isolated levoatrial cardinal vein are discussed in the context of this case described herein.

• Korean Circulation Journal
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• v.52 no.11
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• pp.801-807
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• 2022

Percutaneous patent foramen ovale (PFO) closure in patients with a prior PFO-associated stroke showed a risk reduction of the stroke recurrence compared to the medical therapy alone in recent several studies. Nevertheless, optimal patient selection for PFO closure has not been clarified. In this paper, we discuss the characteristics of PFO-associated strokes and discuss the recently published evidence and patient selection for PFO closure in patients with ischemic stroke. The lesions characteristics of PFO-associated stroke are associated with multiple scattered lesion, small sized cerebral cortical lesion, or posterior circulation. Overcoming the failure of early studies in CLOSURE I, PC, and RESPECT trials, PFO closure showed a significant reduction in recurrent stroke in recently published REDUCE, CLOSE, DEFENSEPRO trials, and long-term follow-up data of RESPECT study. However, considering that PFO closure cannot completely prevent stroke recurrence and that complications including atrial fibrillation, we should be selectively performed in patients with high-risk PFO.