Hypoxemia from right-to-left shunting through a patent foramen ovale in right ventricular infarction:

Abstract

Priv.-Doz. Dr. med. Bernhard Kuch ()) Matthias Riehle, MD · Wolfgang von Scheidt, MD I. Medizinische Klinik Klinikum Augsburg Lehrkrankenhaus der Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitat Munchen Stenglinstr. 2 86156 Augsburg, Germany Tel.: +49-8 21 /4002956 Fax: +49-8 21 /4003345 E-Mail: bernhard.kuch@1med.zk-augsburg-med.de Sirs: Myocardial infarction belongs to the leading causes of death in industrialized nations [19]. Major mechanisms of death in myocardial infarction are arrhythmias and systolic ventricular failure due to the loss of contractile function. Other mechanical complications leading to death or acute deteriorations in previously stable patients are ruptured papillary muscles with the consequence of severe mitral insufficiency, ventricular septal defects or rupture of the free left ventricular wall leading to acute tamponade. We here describe a rare complication of acute inferior myocardial infarction in a patient who developed severe hypoxemia secondary to right-to-left shunting via a patent foramen ovale (PFO), successfully treated with revascularization, preload reduction, and, finally, percutaneous closure of the PFO. Case report