After an 18-hour bus ride, a 29-year-old soldier complained of leg pain. Ten days later, he collapsed. After cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), he revived but complained of chest pain and shortness of breath. Computed tomography revealed massive thrombus in the right pulmonary artery, emboli in the left pulmonary artery, and right ventricle ballooning. Adequate anticoagulation required repeated boluses and continuous infusion (1,600 units/hour) of heparin. Vena caval filter was not available, and possible additional clot in the legs could not be completely assessed. After no improvement in 24 hours, alteplase was given (10 mg IV bolus and 90 mg over 2 hours). At 12 hours, tachycardia, tachypnea, and dyspnea resolved and computed tomography revealed marked resolution. This case illustrates both the value of CPR and aggressive fibrinolytic therapy in patients who suddenly collapse from massive pulmonary embolism. The collapse was likely due to a saddle embolus. Chest compressions probably fractured the large clot. Although not completely reestablished, enough flow occurred for successful resuscitation. Even though delayed, fibrinolytic therapy was effective and should be considered even in patients where vena caval filter placement is not feasible and/or complete evaluation of the extremity deep venous system is not possible.
- MeSH
- časové faktory MeSH
- dospělí MeSH
- fibrinolytika aplikace a dávkování terapeutické užití MeSH
- kardiopulmonální resuscitace * MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- ozbrojené síly * MeSH
- plicní embolie diagnóza etiologie terapie MeSH
- počítačová rentgenová tomografie MeSH
- tkáňový aktivátor plazminogenu aplikace a dávkování terapeutické užití MeSH
- žilní trombóza komplikace MeSH
- Check Tag
- dospělí MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- mužské pohlaví MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- kazuistiky MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Česká republika MeSH
- Jugoslávie MeSH
