Clin Med
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Myocardial infarction (MI) and stroke are common acute conditions that regularly present as an emergency to hospital. Paradoxical embolism is a recognised complication of patent foramen ovale (PFO), and the literature shows that it can cause ischaemic stroke or, less frequently, acute MI. Ischaemic stroke and MI occurring simultaneously has a wide differential diagnosis, which should include a PFO, especially when occurring in young patients.
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In an ageing population, patients are living longer with one or more chronic disease, and with acute illnesses increasingly extending outside the boundaries of a single medical specialty. Therefore, is it time for the general physician to take charge?