Bilateral Pulmonary Embolism Masked by New-Onset Atrial Fibrillation with Rapid Ventricular Rate: The Role of Mechanical Thrombectomy.
Publication/Presentation Date
6-11-2022
Abstract
BACKGROUND Management of atrial fibrillation (AF) with rapid ventricular rate in the setting of submassive pulmonary emboli (PE) has not been well defined in the literature. It is challenging as the hemodynamics caused by a PE can change the management of AF. We report a case of bilateral PE masked by new-onset AF with rapid ventricular rate that was treated pharmaceutically and mechanically, with thrombectomy. CASE REPORT An 85-year-old man presented with gradual dyspnea and was found to be in AF with rapid ventricular rate (~160-180 bpm). The patient had tachypnea and hypoxia requiring oxygen administration. On physical examination, he had euvolemia. Chest X-ray did not reveal pulmonary vascular congestion. He was started on standard AF management with atrioventricular nodal blockers. Laboratory tests revealed a normal troponin level but mildly elevated B-type natriuretic peptide and lactate. Because his dyspnea was out of proportion to the physical examination, radiographic, and laboratory findings, a D-dimer level was obtained and was elevated. Computed tomography with pulmonary angiogram showed extensive bilateral PE. An echocardiogram (TTE) showed evidence of right ventricular failure. The patient underwent mechanical thrombectomy with clot retrieval, deterring the risk of hemodynamic collapse that would have ensued with atrioventricular nodal blockers monotherapy. On repeat TTE, right ventricular dysfunction was completely resolved and the remaining hospitalization was uneventful. CONCLUSIONS In patients with concomitant AF with rapid ventricular rate and submassive PE, the use of mechanical thrombectomy, in addition to the standard AF management, could be beneficial in deterring the risk of hemodynamic collapse.
Volume
23
First Page
936584
Last Page
936584
ISSN
1941-5923
Published In/Presented At
Taoutel, R., Beck, M., Chamoun, R., Caroline, M., & Doroshow, J. (2022). Bilateral Pulmonary Embolism Masked by New-Onset Atrial Fibrillation with Rapid Ventricular Rate: The Role of Mechanical Thrombectomy. The American journal of case reports, 23, e936584. https://doi.org/10.12659/AJCR.936584
Disciplines
Medicine and Health Sciences
PubMedID
35689374
Department(s)
Department of Medicine, Department of Medicine Fellows and Residents, Fellows and Residents
Document Type
Article