To report a rare case of transseptal thrombus straddling a patent foramen ovale (TSFO) and highlight its diagnostic and management implications.
Approach:
Case Presentation: An 81-year-old woman with a history of recurrent exertional dyspnea was diagnosed with TSFO after contrast-enhanced cardiac CT revealed a thrombus across the interatrial septum.
Management: Anticoagulation therapy was initiated after shared decision-making, with follow-ups at 1, 3, and 12 months confirming clinical recovery.
Key Findings:
Contrast-enhanced CT angiography effectively identified TSFO in the context of acute pulmonary embolism.
The thrombus was dynamic and transient, highlighting the need for timely imaging.
The patient showed significant improvement with anticoagulation therapy, with follow-ups indicating no thromboembolic symptoms.
Interpretation:
This case illustrates the need for awareness of TSFO as a potential manifestation of paradoxical embolism in patients with a patent foramen ovale.
Limitations:
TSFO is a rare condition, making it difficult to generalize findings to broader patient populations.
The case is based on a single patient, limiting the applicability of the findings.
Conclusion:
Early identification and management of TSFO can prevent systemic thromboembolic events.
