Thrombolytic therapy in a patient with suspected pulmonary embolism despite a negative computed tomography pulmonary angiogram.
Publication/Presentation Date
3-1-2011
Abstract
We report a case of a 62-year-old male who presented to our intensive care unit with hypoxemia 6 hours after retinal surgery. He had a negative computed tomography (CT) pulmonary angiogram, but an emergency echocardiogram revealed the McConnell sign. He was thrombolysed and had rapid improvement in oxygenation and hemodynamics. Thrombolysis in hemodynamically unstable pulmonary embolism is not controversial, but most algorithms require confirmation of the diagnosis. Our patient had a negative CT pulmonary angiogram but was thrombolysed based on the clinical picture. Autopsy confirmed the diagnosis of multiple pulmonary emboli and unexpectedly discovered a patent foramen ovale that explained paradoxical embolism to the brain.
Volume
56
Issue
3
First Page
336
Last Page
338
ISSN
0020-1324
Published In/Presented At
Vaid, U., Baram, M., & Marik, P. E. (2011). Thrombolytic therapy in a patient with suspected pulmonary embolism despite a negative computed tomography pulmonary angiogram. Respiratory care, 56(3), 336–338. https://doi.org/10.4187/respcare.00738
Disciplines
Business Administration, Management, and Operations | Health and Medical Administration | Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods
PubMedID
21255493
Department(s)
Administration and Leadership
Document Type
Article