Serial Point-of-care Echocardiography Performed by an Emergency Physician to Guide Thrombolytic Management of Massive Pulmonary Embolism

Division

West Florida

Hospital

Brandon Regional Hospital

Document Type

Case Report

Publication Date

4-21-2020

Keywords

pulmonary embolism, point-of-care ultrasound, echocardiography, emergency medicine, triscuspid annular plane systolic excursion, systemic thrombolysis

Disciplines

Cardiology | Cardiovascular Diseases | Emergency Medicine

Abstract

Massive pulmonary embolism (PE) is a life-threatening condition with a high mortality burden. The rapid diagnosis of PE can be supported with focused cardiac ultrasound (FOCUS) by identifying signs of right ventricular dysfunction (RVD). This case report describes a patient with hemodynamically unstable massive PE who received systemic thrombolytic therapy. Emergency physicians performed serial FOCUS examinations to assess the resolution of RVD in guidance of clinical management.

Publisher or Conference

Cureus

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