23rd September 2021

A 17-year-old female collapses whilst doing her shopping

A 17-year-old female collapses whilst doing her shopping. She is pronounced dead despite basic life support. Her family suggest that she was completely symptomless prior to this and had never complained of chest pain, headache or visual disturbances. However, she regularly attended a cardiology clinic for monitoring. The most recent echocardiogram demonstrated a right-to-left interatrial shunt. She had also recently undertaken a long-haul flight. Her case is referred to the coroner, and a post-mortem is performed. The histopathologist identifies cerebral embolism, secondary to a deep vein thrombosis (DVT).

Which of the following is the most likely phenomenon resulting in her death?

Select the SINGLE most appropriate option from the list below. Select ONE option only.