Relation between patent foramen ovale and perfusion abnormalities in acute pulmonary embolism.

ABSTRACT

The frequency of right-to-left shunt through a patent foramen ovale is increased in hemodynamically stable patients without preexisting cardiopulmonary disease with acute pulmonary embolism. This is associated with a greater degree of perfusion abnormalities as quantified by perfusion scan and the presence of tricuspid regurgitation.