Diseases

Paradoxical Embolism

Blockage of an artery due to passage of a clot (THROMBUS) from a systemic vein to a systemic artery without its passing through the lung which acts as a filter to remove blood clots from entering the arterial circulation. Paradoxical embolism occurs when there is a defect that allows a clot to cross directly from the right to the left side of the heart as in the cases of ATRIAL SEPTAL DEFECTS or open FORAMEN OVALE. Once in the arterial circulation, a clot can travel to the brain, block an artery, and cause a STROKE.

National Library of MedicineMedical Subject Headings2026

Structured Summary

Abstract

Blockage of an artery due to passage of a clot (THROMBUS) from a systemic vein to a systemic artery without its passing through the lung which acts as a filter to remove blood clots from entering the arterial circulation. Paradoxical embolism occurs when there is a defect that allows a clot to cross directly from the right to the left side of the heart as in the cases of ATRIAL SEPTAL DEFECTS or open FORAMEN OVALE. Once in the arterial circulation, a clot can travel to the brain, block an artery, and cause a STROKE.

MeSH Record

Classification

Broader headings

Related Concepts

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MeSH Record

Synonyms

7 entry terms
  • Crossed Embolism
  • Embolism, Paradoxical
  • Crossed Embolisms
  • Embolism, Crossed
  • Embolisms, Crossed
  • Embolisms, Paradoxical
  • Paradoxical Embolisms

MeSH Record

Aspects Covered

35 allowable subheadings

Indexed with the subheadings blood, cerebrospinal fluid, chemically induced, classification, complications, congenital, diagnosis, diagnostic imaging, diet therapy, drug therapy, economics, embryology, enzymology, epidemiology, ethnology, etiology, genetics, history, immunology, metabolism, microbiology, mortality, nursing, parasitology, pathology, physiopathology, prevention & control, psychology, radiotherapy, rehabilitation, surgery, therapy, urine, veterinary, virology.

MeSH Record

Indexing Annotation

coordinate IM with specific vessels or vascular disease (IM), often PULMONARY EMBOLISM or FORAMEN OVALE, PATENT

MeSH Record

History Note

97

MeSH Record

Previous Indexing

  • Embolism (1975-1996)
  • Thromboembolism (1976-1996)
  • specific embolisms (1975-1996)

MeSH Hierarchy

Tree Number

  1. C14w.907w.355.590w.400w

MeSH Record

NLM Classification

WG 540

AMA Style

References

  1. National Library of Medicine. Paradoxical Embolism. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). 2026. Unique ID D019320. http://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/2026/D019320
  2. Paradoxical Embolism. In: Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paradoxical_embolism
  3. Paradoxical Embolism. In: Wikidata. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q7134468