How Do You Spell PARADOXICAL EMBOLISM?

1. Paradoxical embolism is a medical condition characterized by the occurrence of an embolus, which is a blood clot or other solid material, traveling from the venous circulation to the arterial circulation via an abnormal communication between the right and left sides of the heart. This abnormal communication is often referred to as a patent foramen ovale (PFO), which is a small hole in the wall (septum) between the two upper chambers (atria) of the heart that should normally close after birth.

   The term "paradoxical" refers to the fact that the embolus is moving in the opposite direction of blood flow. Normally, emboli travel from arterial circulation to venous circulation. However, with a PFO, an embolus can bypass the filtering action of the lungs, where it would usually become trapped, and instead enter the systemic circulation. From there, it can cause blockages in arteries supplying various organs, leading to ischemia (lack of blood supply) and potentially serious complications depending on the affected organ.

   Paradoxical embolism is most commonly associated with the formation of blood clots in the veins of the lower extremities, particularly deep vein thrombosis (DVT). These clots can dislodge and travel through the bloodstream until they reach the right side of the heart. If a PFO is present, the embolus can cross over to the left side of the heart and then enter the arterial circulation, causing a paradoxical embolism.

   The diagnosis of paradoxical embolism is often made based on clinical suspicion along with imaging techniques such as echocardiography, transesophageal echocardiography, or contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) scans. Treatment usually involves the administration of ant

Common Misspellings for PARADOXICAL EMBOLISM

The word "paradoxical embolism" is derived from two main components: "paradoxical" and "embolism".

1. Paradoxical: The term "paradoxical" stems from the Greek word "paradoxos", which translates to "contrary to expectation" or "inconsistent with common belief". The combination of "para-" (meaning "beside" or "beyond") and "doxa" (meaning "belief" or "opinion") gives rise to the concept of something that contradicts or defies conventional wisdom.

2. Embolism: The word "embolism" comes from the Greek term "embolismos", which means "intercalation" or "insertion". It is derived from the verb "embolein", which signifies "to throw or put in".