Ischaemic stroke with intact atrial septum--exclude arteriovenous malformations

Cardiol Young. 2014 Feb;24(1):145-7. doi: 10.1017/S1047951112002168. Epub 2013 Jan 25.

Abstract

A 44-year-old woman was referred to our centre for interventional cardiac catheterisation. The diagnostic work-up after a preceding ischaemic stroke led to the assumption of a patent foramen ovale due to a positive bubble study. Before the planned percutaneous closure of the patent foramen ovale, we performed a second bubble study, which showed an intact atrial septum. However, after two to three heart cycles bubbles could be detected in the left atrium, assuming a right-to-left shunt of an extracardiac origin most likely in the lung. We therefore performed cardiac catheterisation, yielding a pulmonary arteriovenous malformation in the lower lobe of the right lung. This was successfully closed interventionally by placing a Cook coil, as well as several plugs into the malformation and feeding vessels.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Angiography
  • Arteriovenous Fistula / complications
  • Arteriovenous Fistula / diagnosis*
  • Arteriovenous Fistula / diagnostic imaging
  • Brain Ischemia / diagnosis*
  • Brain Ischemia / etiology
  • Cardiac Catheterization
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Echocardiography, Transesophageal
  • Female
  • Foramen Ovale, Patent / diagnosis*
  • Foramen Ovale, Patent / diagnostic imaging
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Pulmonary Artery / abnormalities*
  • Pulmonary Artery / diagnostic imaging
  • Pulmonary Veins / abnormalities*
  • Pulmonary Veins / diagnostic imaging
  • Stroke / diagnosis*
  • Stroke / etiology

Supplementary concepts

  • Pulmonary Arteriovenous Fistulas