PARADOXICAL EMBOLISMS Meaning and
Definition
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Paradoxical embolisms are a medical condition characterized by the occurrence of an embolism, which is a blockage of a blood vessel by a foreign substance like a blood clot or air bubble, that travels from one side of the heart to the other through an abnormal connection between the two sides. This abnormal connection is known as a patent foramen ovale (PFO), a small opening in the wall of the heart that fails to close completely after birth.
In a normal heart, the blood is pumped from the right atrium to the right ventricle and then to the lungs for oxygenation before being pumped to the rest of the body. However, in individuals with a PFO, the embolus can pass directly from the right-sided circulation to the left-sided circulation, bypassing the lungs. This can lead to the paradoxical embolism, where the embolus travels to the systemic circulation, causing blockages in various organs such as the brain, heart, or kidneys.
The symptoms of paradoxical embolisms depend on the location of the blockage and can range from mild to life-threatening. Common symptoms include stroke, heart attack, chest pain, difficulty breathing, or even sudden death. Diagnosis is often confirmed through imaging tests such as a transesophageal echocardiogram or a contrast-enhanced chest computed tomography (CT) scan.
Treatment of paradoxical embolisms typically involves the administration of anticoagulant medications to prevent further clot formation and embolization. In some cases, a surgical or catheter-based procedure may be necessary to close the PFO and prevent future embolisms from occurring. Prognosis varies depending on the severity of the embolism and the affected organ, but early detection and prompt medical intervention can improve
Common Misspellings for PARADOXICAL EMBOLISMS
- oaradoxical embolisms
- laradoxical embolisms
- -aradoxical embolisms
- 0aradoxical embolisms
- pzradoxical embolisms
- psradoxical embolisms
- pwradoxical embolisms
- pqradoxical embolisms
- paeadoxical embolisms
- padadoxical embolisms
- pafadoxical embolisms
- patadoxical embolisms
- pa5adoxical embolisms
- pa4adoxical embolisms
- parzdoxical embolisms
- parsdoxical embolisms
- parwdoxical embolisms
- parqdoxical embolisms
- parasoxical embolisms
- paraxoxical embolisms
Etymology of PARADOXICAL EMBOLISMS
The word "paradoxical" has its origins in the Greek word "paradoxos", meaning "contrary to opinion or expectation". It is a combination of "para" (beyond) and "doxa" (opinion).
The word "embolism" comes from the Greek word "embolē", which means "throwing in" or "insertion". It refers to the obstruction of a blood vessel by an embolus, a foreign substance carried through the bloodstream.
When combined, "paradoxical embolisms" refers to a type of embolism that occurs when a clot or other material travels from one side of the heart to the other, bypassing the lungs. This is considered paradoxical because such emboli typically originate from the peripheral veins (such as deep vein thrombosis) and are supposed to be filtered out by the lungs before they can travel to the arterial circulation.
