Paradoxical pulmonary embolism

A few cases of paradoxical pulmonary embolism secondary to aorto caval fistula associated with an abdominal aortic aneurysm with thrombus has been reported. Aortocaval fisutala can occur in an abdominal aortic aneurysm secondary to spontaneous rupture, following trauma or surgery. Usual paradoxical embolism is paradoxical systemic embolism secondary to venous thrombosis and thrombus reaching the left heart through an atrial septal defect or patent foramen ovale. Common manifestation of paradoxical systemic embolism is stroke.