Key result
Tumour cell microemboli mediated through a patent foramen ovale caused acute cor pulmonale and paradoxical systemic embolism, leading to rapid death in a 62-year-old woman with breast cancer.
Case Report (n=1)
Highlights a rare case of acute cor pulmonale and paradoxical systemic embolism caused by tumor cell microemboli in a breast cancer patient with a patent foramen ovale.
Consider tumor microemboli via PFO in unexplained cor pulmonale with cancer; leaves open systematic study of this pathway.
A 62-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital because of severe respiratory distress. Diagnostic imaging studies suggested the existence of inexplicable cor pulmonale. Although we immediately sought the aetiology of her severe condition, she died suddenly on the fourth day after admission. Postmortem autopsy revealed tumour cell microemboli in the small pulmonary arteries. In addition, tumour cell embolisation identical to that in primary breast cancer cells was also observed in microvessels in systemic multiple organs, such as the liver, brain, kidneys, spleen, uterus, bone marrow and adrenal glands-with simultaneous findings of peripheral infarction. Systemic tumour cell embolism mediated through the patent foramen ovale superimposed on pulmonary tumour cell emboli (PTCE) is considered to be the mechanism underlying inexplicable cor pulmonale. The rapid aggravation of her condition terminated in death.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Uga et al. (2012) conducted a case report in Acute cor pulmonale and paradoxical systemic embolism in breast cancer (n=1). Tumour cell microemboli was evaluated. Tumour cell microemboli mediated through a patent foramen ovale caused acute cor pulmonale and paradoxical systemic embolism, leading to rapid death in a 62-year-old woman with breast cancer.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: