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Case Reports
. 2001 Fall;6(3):173-5.

Paradoxical embolism in Ebstein's anomaly

C Uyan  1 , M Yazici, A P Uyan, B Dokumaci
Affiliations
Case Reports

Paradoxical embolism in Ebstein's anomaly

C Uyan et al. Exp Clin Cardiol. 2001 Fall.

Abstract

A 26-year-old man with Ebstein's anomaly had cerebellar infarction due to paradoxical embolism. Ebstein's anomaly is characterized by a downward displacement of the tricuspid valve into the right ventricle due to anomalous attachment of the tricuspid leaflets. Echocardiography is the method of choice to diagnose Ebstein's anomaly on its own or in association with other heart defects. Paradoxical embolism is a potential complication whenever a right to left shunt exists (for example, atrial septal defect). Ebstein's anomaly diagnosed in adult life is a benign and stable disease, particularly if the patient is asymptomatic; surgical correction must be performed if the patient becomes symptomatic because of either paradoxical embolism or worsening of the tricuspid regurgitation.

Keywords: Ebstein’s anomaly; Paradoxical embolism.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Magnetic resonance image of the corticomedullary infarct in the left cerebellar hemisphere in a 26-year-old man one month after stroke. AH Anterior head; RFA Right foot anterior; SP Spine
Figure 2
Figure 2
Four-chamber, two-dimensional echocardiograms in systole and diastole showing Ebstein’s anomaly with atrial septal defect (ASD). LA Left atrium; LV Left ventricle; MV Mitral valve; RA Right atrium; RV Right ventricle; TV Tricuspid valve
Figure 3
Figure 3
Apical four-chamber colour flow echocardiogram showing severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR) in systole
Figure 4
Figure 4
Apical four-chamber colour flow echocardiogram showing secundum atrial septal defect (ASD) in diastole
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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