A patient with a deep venous thrombosis and recent long flight likely has which heart condition aiding in her stroke?

In the context of a patient with a deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and a recent long flight, the association with a stroke can often be linked to the presence of a patent foramen ovale (PFO). A PFO is a small opening between the right and left atria of the heart that is a remnant from fetal circulation. In most individuals, the foramen ovale closes after birth; however, in some, it remains open.

When a person has a DVT, there is a risk of the thrombus (blood clot) dislodging and traveling to the lungs, which can lead to a pulmonary embolism. However, if a person has a PFO, there is the potential for the clot to bypass the lungs and pass directly from the right atrium to the left atrium. This can occur during instances of transient increases in right atrial pressure, such as with Valsalva maneuvers or certain body positions, particularly when the flow is shunted through the PFO. As a result, the clot can enter systemic circulation and potentially travel to the brain, causing a stroke.

This mechanism illustrates why a PFO is particularly relevant in this clinical scenario, considering the history of DVT