Acute right ventricular infarction secondary to massive pulmonary embolism

Isolated right ventricular infarction has been found in casesof right ventricular hypertrophy, but there are no reports onright ventricular infarction secondary to massive pulmonaryembolism. Six autopsied patients with massive pulmonary embolismand pure right ventricular infarction, suspected to be secondaryto the embolism, were selected from a population of 216 autopsies.Pulmonary embolism was the suspected diagnosis in five casesdue to typical clinical, electrocardiographic and haemodynamicdata. Right ventricular infarction was a post-mortem finding,not previously diagnosed. In every case the thickness of theright ventricular myocardium was normal. The necrosis of theright ventricle was transmural in four cases and subendcardialin two and the entire right ventricular wall (anterolateralas well as posterior) was involved. No mural thrombi were presentand in no case did the necrosis involve the left ventricle.In one case the coronary arteries were normal, in the otherfive significant lesions of the right or the left coronary arterieswere observed. These lesions may have been, in part, responsiblefor the necrosis of the right ventricle when the massive pulmonaryembolism was added. We conclude that right ventricular infarctionmay be secondary to pulmonary hypertension in the setting ofmassive pulmonary embolism, even in the absence of right ventricularhypertrophy and with normal or stenotic coronary arteries.     

Regional right ventricular dysfunction in acute pulmonary embolism and right ventricular infarction.

BACKGROUND: A normally contracting right ventricular apex associated to a severe hypokinesia of the mid-free wall ('McConnell sign') has been considered a distinct echocardiographic pattern of acute pulmonary embolism. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical utility of the 'McConnell sign' in the bedside diagnostic work-up of patients presenting to the Emergency Department with an acute right ventricular dysfunction due to pulmonary embolism or right ventricular infarction. DESIGN: Among 201 patients, consecutively selected from our clinical database and diagnosed as having massive or submassive pulmonary embolism or right ventricular infarction, 161 were suitable for an echocardiographic review of regional right ventricular contraction and were included in the study. There were 107 cases with pulmonary embolism (group 1) and 54 cases with right ventricular infarction (group 2). All echocardiographic studies were randomly examined by two experienced and independent echocardiographers, blinded to the patient diagnosis and without Doppler informations. RESULTS: The McConnell sign was detected in 75 of 107 patients in group 1 (70%) and in 36 of 54 patients in group 2 (67%); the finding was absent in 32 cases in group 1 and in 18 cases in group 2 (P=0.657). The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of the McConnell sign for the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism were respectively 70, 33, 67 and 36%. CONCLUSIONS: In a clinical setting of patients with acute right ventricular dysfunction the McConnell sign cannot be considered a specific marker of pulmonary embolism.     

Relation of the electrocardiogram to hemodynamic alterations in pulmonary embolism

In 20 consecutive cases of pulmonary embolism in a group of patients free of underlying cardiopulmonary disease the frequency of electrocardiographic changes was observed and related to hemodynamic status. A wide range of embolic obstruction (13 to 68 percent) was shown by angiography and was accompanied by hemodynamic abnormalities ranging from minimal impairment to acute cor pulmonale. Only 1 patient showed diagnostic electrocardiographic changes of right ventricular strain; in 3 the electrocardiogram was suggestive. All 4 had the hemodynamic findings of acute cor pulmonale. No. other patient did. It was clinically clear in all 4 patients that a cardiopulmonary catastrophe had occurred, and the diagnoses of acute myocardial infarction and acute massive pulmonary embolism were immediately considered.     

Clinico-pathological analysis of 100 autopsy cases of massive or submassive pulmonary thrombo-obstruction in cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases

A clinico-pathological analysis of 100 autopsy cases of thrombo-obstruction in the segmental and those bigger arteries of the lungs caused by cardiovascular and pulmonary disease was reported. These complications of pulmonary thrombosis and/or embolism were more commonly observed in rheumatic heart disease (29% of the same disease in autopsies), congestive cardiomyopathy (26%) and cor pulmonale (19%). There were 2-4% of the autopsy cases of other cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases. The pulmonary thrombo-obstruction and/or infarction were more frequent in right lower lobes of the lungs and they were often multiple. The pulmonary infarction occurred in 76% of these cases. 35% of 100 cases occurred with sudden death. Only 13% of 100 patients with pulmonary thrombosis and/or embolism were diagnosed before autopsy. The causes of pulmonary thrombo-obstruction and the diagnostic suggestion were discussed in this paper.     

Ongoing role of pulmonary embolectomy

Pulmonary embolism remains a frequent and often fatal disorder. For the majority of patients, anticoagulation with heparin followed by warfarin represents the primary mode of treatment. Thrombolytic therapy is recommended for the patient with massive pulmonary embolism that has produced hypotension. Embolectomy is reserved for the patient with post embolic systemic hypotension who has an absolute contraindication to thrombolysis or who deteriorates despite thrombolytic therapy. Following successful embolectomy the surgeon must treat the complications of the surgery and prevent recurrence. Complications include cerebral infarction, pulmonary infarction and endobronchial hemorrhage, right ventricular failure, local or systemic bleeding and venous stasis. A case of successful pulmonary embolectomy with a complicated postoperative course is presented and the pathophysiology and treatment of the complications are discussed.     

Comparison of fibrinolytic treatment with interruption of the inferior caval vein in the prevention of pulmonary embolism

The procedure of interruption of the inferior caval vein is designed to prevent pulmonary embolism, but its effectiveness has yet to be compared with thrombolytic therapy. Sixty patients hospitalized for pulmonary embolism and proximal deep vein thrombosis were divided into two groups of 31 and 29 patients, respectively. The patients were selected because of persistent venous thrombosis in the inferior caval, iliac or femoral veins. The patients in the first group (mean age 53.2 years) were treated by interruption of the inferior caval vein. The second group of patients (mean age 57) received only fibrinolytic treatment. From those patients having caval venous interruption due to peri-operative myocardial infarction 1 died and 3 others presented pulmonary embolism (massive in two cases). No patients treated by fibrinolysis suffered from pulmonary embolism. Five patients died of cancer, 2 having had caval interruption, as opposed to only 2 having fibrinolysis. Eight patients undergoing surgery had a severe functional handicap. This study demonstrated a high recurrence of pulmonary embolism in patients with persistent venous thrombosis who were treated by interruption of the inferior caval vein. These patients also had a high morbidity. Fibrinolytic treatment (even in the presence of persistent venous thrombosis) appeared to be more effective in avoiding recurrence of pulmonary embolism.     

Appearance of right bundle branch block in electrocardiograms of patients with pulmonary embolism as a marker for obstruction of the main pulmonary trunk.

A number of changes occur in the electrocardiogram (ECG) of pulmonary embolism. This article deals with the diagnostic value of the newly emerged right bundle branch block (RBBB) as a manifestation of acute right ventricular overload. A certain correlation between the extent of obstruction of the pulmonary artery and the appearance of RBBB is established through dynamic monitoring of the ECG. Fifty cases of dissectionally proven pulmonary embolism are observed, in 20 of which massive trunk obstruction had taken place, and in the remaining 30 peripheral embolism in the pulmonary artery was established. With 80% of the trunk embolism patients (16 cases), a newly emerged RBBB was detected in their ECG, and with the remaining 20% (4 cases), ST-segment depression and T-wave inversion in leads V(1)-V(4) were observed as well as right axis deviation. S(1)Q(3)T(3) syndrome was detected among 60% (12 cases) of trunk embolism patients. In none of the peripheral embolism cases was RBBB in the ECG registered. Thus, its appearance on dynamic monitoring of the ECG of pulmonary embolism patients is a significant sign of the probability of massive obstruction of the main pulmonary trunk.     

Chronic solitary pulmonary nodule due to unsuspected pulmonary infarction from silent pulmonary embolism

Abstract A case of pulmonary embolism showing a longstanding solitary pulmonary nodule is presented. An asymptomatic 57 year-old man with a solitary nodule in the right lower lobe was referred to our hospital. A pulmonary perfusion-ventilation scan following a sudden onset of dyspnoea established the diagnosis of recurrent pulmonary embolism. The nodule gradually disappeared after anticoagulant treatment, indicating that the nodule was pulmonary infarction from silent pulmonary embolism. Although the incidence of pulmonary infarction is low in Japan, this case suggests that pulmonary infarction from silent pulmonary embolism should be considered as one important cause of a solitary pulmonary nodule.     

心肺疾病老年人并发肺栓塞的误诊分析(附23例临床分析)

目的:提高对患心、肺系统疾病老年人并发肺栓塞的认识,探讨及时确诊措施。方法:总结23例老年人肺栓塞的临床表现、实验室检查、影像检查等诊断资料。结果:78%患者表现突发性呼吸困难,以晕厥为首发症状者5例(21.7%),100%有低氧血症,10例行下肢静脉造影者中8例有下肢静脉血栓,14例核素肺扫描和18例肺动脉造影者均有PE诊断依据。误诊时间:<2周12例,6周至2年11例。最多是误诊为心绞痛或心肌梗塞者,共19例(82.6%)结论:晕厥、突发性呼吸困难、下肢静脉血栓为疑诊肺栓塞的主要征象,核素肺扫描、肺动脉造影为其诊断主要手段。     

Successful surgical treatment of massive pulmonary embolism after coronary bypass surgery

Acute massive pulmonary embolism after cardiac surgery is very rare. Although accurate diagnosis and rapid treatment are crucial to a successful outcome, there is no standard treatment option. Thrombolytic therapy and catheter embolectomy are the usual treatment options, but they are associated with risks, especially in patients who experience massive pulmonary embolism after coronary artery bypass surgery. Open pulmonary embolectomy may be the best choice for treating these patients. This report describes our use of emergency pulmonary embolectomy along with cardiopulmonary bypass as an effective therapeutic approach in 2 cases of massive pulmonary embolism that occurred after on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting.     

Current status of embolectomy for acute massive pulmonary embolism

Although embolectomy for acute massive pulmonary embolism first was suggested by Trendelenburg more than 56 years ago, this operation was not performed successfully in the United States until 1958, and as late as 1961 only 23 reports of long term survival following pulmonary embolectomy had appeared in the world medical literature. Use of temporary cardiopulmonary bypass for pulmonary embolectomy was described in 1961 and offered far more favorable circumstances for operation. Since that time, more patients with acute massive pulmonary embolism have been salvaged by embolectomy than survived operation in the previous half century.

Our experience with pulmonary embolectomy employing temporary cardiopulmonary bypass for otherwise fatal, acute massive pulmonary embolism now includes 8 cases, 4 of which were successful. Experimental investigations and clinical experience have demonstrated advantages of partial cardiopulmonary bypass for resuscitating these patients prior to definitive embolectomy. Recent improvements in and simplifications of pump oxygenators should provide far more widespread availability of bypass for such procedures. Embolectomy for acute massive pulmonary embolism now should be considered in the same category as massage for cardiac arrest. No longer should the lifesaving advantages of such a procedure be offered only to those patients in major medical centers.     

The incidence of pulmonary embolism in unexplained sudden cardiac arrest with pulseless electrical activity

PURPOSE: The cause of many cases of sudden cardiac arrest from pulseless electrical activity is unknown. We hypothesized that pulmonary embolism was responsible for a substantial proportion of these cases and used transesophageal echocardiography to identify pulmonary embolism among patients with sudden cardiac arrest. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We performed a prospective study at a tertiary care, university-operated county hospital, with a level 1 trauma center. Consecutive patients (n = 36) who were admitted with (n = 20) or unexpectedly developed (n = 16) sudden cardiac arrest of unknown cause were studied with transesophageal echocardiography during cardiopulmonary resuscitation. We determined the presence of central pulmonary embolism, right ventricular enlargement, and other causes of sudden cardiac arrest (such as myocardial infarction and aortic dissection) using prospectively defined criteria. RESULTS: Of the 25 patients with pulseless electrical activity as the initial event, 9 (36%) had pulmonary emboli (8 seen with transesophageal echocardiography and 1 diagnosed at autopsy) compared with none of the 11 patients with other rhythms, such as asystole or ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation (P = 0.02). Of the 8 patients who had pulmonary embolism diagnosed by transesophageal echocardiography, 2 survived to hospital discharge. CONCLUSIONS: Mortality from massive pulmonary embolism is high, particularly if patients present with sudden cardiac arrest. Earlier diagnosis of pulmonary embolus may permit wider use of thrombolytic agents or other interventions and may potentially increase survival.     

Streptokinase and heparin versus heparin alone in massive pulmonary embolism: A randomized controlled trial

To test the efficacy of thrombolytic therapy in massive pulmonary embolism, we conducted a prospective randomized controlled trial. Eight patients were randomized to receive either 1,500,000 IU of streptokinase in 1 hour through a peripheral vein followed by heparin or heparin alone. All patients had major risk factors for deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and were considered to have high clinical suspicion for pulmonary embolism (PE). At baseline all patients had a similar degree of systemic arterial hypotension, pulmonary arterial hypertension, and right ventricular dysfunction. The time of onset of cardiogenic shock in both groups was comparable (2.25 ±0.5 hours in the streptokinase group and 1.75 ±0.96 hours in the heparin group). The four patients who were randomized to streptokinase improved in the first hour after treatment, survived, and in 2 years of follow-up are without pulmonary arterial hypertension. All four patients treated with heparin alone died from 1 to 3 hours after arrival at the emergency room (p=0.02). Post-thrombolytic therapy the diagnosis of PE was sustained in the streptokinase group by high probability V/Q lung scans and proven DVT. A necropsy study performed in three patients in the heparin group showed massive pulmonary embolism and right ventricular myocardial infarction, without significant coronary arterial obstruction. The results indicate that thrombolytic therapy reduces the mortality rate of massive acute pulmonary embolism.     

以胸腔积液为首诊的肺栓塞19例临床分析

目的分析以胸腔积液为首诊的肺栓塞患者的临床特点,增强对症状不典型肺栓塞的认识,降低误诊率。方法回顾性分析19例以胸腔积液为首要临床表现的肺栓塞患者的临床特点。结果 71例肺栓塞患者中19例出现胸腔积液,占26.76%;大量胸腔积液1例,中量2例,少量16例;双侧胸腔积液2例,单侧胸腔积液17例,其中右侧8例,左侧9例;3例行胸腔穿刺胸水常规化验均为渗出性胸水。结论胸腔积液是肺栓塞的非典型、非特异性临床表现,临床上要提高警惕,及时完善D-二聚体检测,CT肺动脉造影检查,以提高确诊率。     

Right atrial thrombosis and severe pulmonary embolism]

Two cases of severe pulmonary embolism associated with right atrial thrombosis are reported. In the first case, fibrinolytic therapy was administered and was thought to be a causative factor in the death of the patient due to massive pulmonary embolism. In the second case, the patient was referred for surgery and two enormous thrombi were extracted. Unfortunately, the outcome was fatal. These two cases were confronted with the results of the literature. They strongly suggest that echocardiography should be a first-line investigation in severe pulmonary embolism. The detection of right atrial thrombosis modifies the clinical strategy and orientates treatment towards surgical referral when the patient's condition allows it.     

肺栓塞24例临床诊断与治疗分析

目的分析肺栓塞（PE）患者基础疾病、危险因素、临床表现、诊治方法,以提高对该病的认识和诊治水平。方法采用回顾性方式对2002年6月至2011年6月收治的24例肺栓塞患者的临床诊治情况进行分析。结果24例肺栓塞患者中,治愈4例,好转15例,死亡5例。死亡5例中,4例为大面积肺血栓栓塞症（PTE）。结论肺栓塞患者临床表现缺乏特异性,尤其是大面积PTE死亡率高。临床上对于存在危险因素者,要提高对肺动脉栓塞的警惕性,尽快行血气分析、D-二聚体、心电图、超声心动图、胸部CT、CT肺动脉造影（CTPA）检查,抗凝溶栓治疗能安全有效治疗肺栓塞。     

2 cases of acute myocardial infarct complicated by fatal pulmonary embolism

Two cases of pulmonary embolism with lethal course in the setting of acute myocardial infarction are presented. Both cases are clinically characterized by a late pulmonary embolism occurrence (2nd and 3rd week, respectively), and the presence of a large infarct, heart failure during acute myocardial infarction evolution and the interruption of anticoagulant therapy due to a complication. From the anatomic point of view, both cases had large hearts and very large biventricular infarctions. On the other hand, deep venous plexus constituted the pulmonary embolism origin in one case, and right ventricular thrombosis in the other.     

Reperfusion pulmonary edema after thrombolytic therapy of massive pulmonary embolism

We report here the occurrence of acute focal pulmonary edema after thrombolytic therapy for massive pulmonary embolism. Symptomatic pulmonary edema developed in a 75-yr-old man after streptokinase infusion for a massive pulmonary embolism. Repeat radiographic studies demonstrated that the edema occurred in an area of early reperfusion. Right heart catheterization showed pulmonary hypertension, and there was no clinical evidence of left ventricular failure. The edema spontaneously resolved during a second course of thrombolytic therapy that successfully lysed the remaining thrombus. We conclude that reperfusion pulmonary edema is a potential, albeit rare, complication of thrombolytic therapy for pulmonary embolism.     

Distinguishing between acute and subacute massive pulmonary embolism by conventional and Doppler echocardiography.

OBJECTIVE--To determine the ability of conventional and Doppler echocardiography to distinguish between minor, acute massive, and subacute massive pulmonary embolism in patients with confirmed pulmonary embolism. DESIGN--Prospective study of a consecutive series of 47 patients with confirmed pulmonary embolism. SETTING--Department of internal medicine, university clinic. PATIENTS--11 patients (23%) had minor, 23 patients (49%) had acute massive, and 13 patients (28%) had subacute massive pulmonary embolism. RESULTS--Dilatation of the right ventricular cavity (33 (92%)) and asynergy of the right ventricular free wall (29 (81%)) were seen only in patients with acute and subacute massive pulmonary embolism (n = 36). 23 (64%) with pulmonary hypertension had tricuspid regurgitation. The velocity of the tricuspid regurgitant jet correlated with the pulmonary arterial pressure (r = 0.88, SEE = 11.6 mm Hg) and was significantly lower in patients with acute massive pulmonary embolism (3.0 (0.4) m/s, n = 12) than in patients with subacute massive pulmonary embolism (4.2 (0.6) m/s; n = 11) (p < 0.001). The use of predefined indices (right ventricular free wall thickness > 5 mm; tricuspid regurgitant jet velocity > 3.7 m/s; and the occurrence of both a dilated right ventricular cavity with normal interventricular septal motion, or an inspiratory collapse of the inferior vena cava, or both) correctly identified 11 of 13 patients (85%) with subacute massive pulmonary embolism. CONCLUSION--Conventional and Doppler echocardiography were successful in evaluating the haemodynamic consequences of pulmonary embolism.     

多层螺旋CT和MR肺动脉成像诊断急性肺动脉栓塞的对比研究

目的探究多层螺旋CT肺动脉造影和MR肺动脉成像对急性肺动脉栓塞(PE)疾病的的诊断价值。方法对2014年1月~2015年1月我院临床诊断为急性肺栓塞病接受住院治疗的120例患者进行分组,分组依据为随机数字表法,分为采用多层螺旋CT肺动脉造影诊断的CT组和采用MR肺动脉成像诊断的MR组,每组60例,对两组的诊断价值进行比较。结果两组患者经过检查对PE的显示率均为100%,且两组患者栓子栓塞部位比例相当,无统计学差异(P0.05),PE的间接征象有马赛克征、心包积液、肺动脉高压、胸腔积液、肺段梗死、局限性肺纹理稀疏,两组患者具体征象无统计学差异(P0.05)。结论对急性肺动脉栓塞的患者采用MR肺动脉成像进行诊断较为方便,准确率也高,是一种简便、快捷、无创、有效的诊断方法,值得在临床上推广应用。