Risk of Stroke in Pulmonary Embolism With a Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO)

Silent Cerebral Infarcts in Patients With Pulmonary Embolism and a Patent Foramen Ovale: a Prospective Diffusion-weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study.

Pulmonary embolism is associated with a small but definite risk of paradoxical embolism in patients with a patent foramen ovale (PFO). While neurologic complications are unfrequent the incidence of clinically silent brain infarction is unknown. We will assess the rate of clinically apparent and silent cerebral embolism in patients with a pulmonary embolism (PE) in relation to the presence or not of a PFO.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Pulmonary embolism, informed consent signed, no-contraindication to MRI

Exclusion Criteria:

• contra-indication to MRI, informed consent not obtained