Thrombus straddling a patent foramen ovale and massive pulmonary embolism: Venous arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation as a valuable support tool.

Thrombus straddling a patent foramen ovale and massive pulmonary embolism is a very rare and life-threatening condition. Optimal management can be controversial because different therapeutic options are available and individual approach based in individual risk is needed. We present a case of a thrombus straddling the patent foramen ovale with massive pulmonary embolism, hemodynamic instability, and upper extremity embolism. We performed surgical pulmonary embolectomy, and venous arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation was needed to successfully overcome severe right ventricular impairment and pulmonary injury.