Amniotic fluid embolism causing severe left ventricular dysfunction and death: Case report and review of the literature

Hemodynamic instability in amniotic fluid embolism has previously been demonstrated only by right heart catheterization. We present detailed documentation obtained by echocardiography and cardiac catheterization of a 35-year-old woman who developed amniotic fluid embolism and died from severe left ventricular dysfunction and wide QRS complex tachycardia despite intensive medical therapy (inotropes) and mechanical (intraaortic balloon pump) support. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

急慢性肺栓塞的心脏超声心动图表现

目的:了解急慢性肺栓塞的超声心动图表现。方法:回顾性研究从2001年1月到2006年6月所有肺栓塞的住院患者,共43例,分为急性肺栓塞及慢性肺栓塞,了解其超声心动图的表现(包括右房、右室大小,肺动脉压力,肺动脉主干及分叉处有无血栓回声,左房、左室大小等)。结果:急、慢性肺栓塞病人表现不同程度的肺动脉压力升高,右房、室增大,但慢性组右房、室增大更为明显(P<0.05~<0.01),检出率更高(P<0.05)。结论:急慢性肺栓塞的超声心动图表现有助于提高其检出率。     

Experiences in the diagnosis and therapy of so-called thrombus in transit

With the increasing use of cross-sectional echocardiography in patients with overt or suspected pulmonary thromboembolism in the emergency rooms, more and more right atrial thrombi are detected. These are so-called "transitthrombi" from the venous system on their way to the pulmonary arteries and they are a severe presentation of thromboembolic disease. They appear as an imminent pulmonary embolism and usually coexists with an already massive embolism. In patients were a right atrial thrombus is associated with a patent foramen ovale, paradoxical arterial embolism has been observed. Right sided heart thrombi have a high mortality rate and need immediate treatment. In our hospital we have seen 14 patients with right atrial thrombi and pulmonary embolism in a period of 6 years. Three patients had cardiac arrest with a massive pulmonary embolism, seven patients presented with a submassive embolism. All patients were treated immediately after echocardiographic diagnosis without pulmonary angiography. In about half of the cases transesophageal echocardiography was done additionally for diagnosis and monitoring. Therapeutic options were thrombectomy, fibrinolysis or anticoagulants. We treated one of our patients with thrombectomy, eleven patients with fibrinolysis and two patients with anticoagulants.     

Pulmonary embolism with isolated right ventricular infarction.

Concomitant occurrence of pulmonary embolism and right ventricular infarction is rare. It poses important diagnostic and therapeutic implications. A case of pulmonary embolism with isolated right ventricular anterior wall infarction presented with ventricular tachycardia. One pathology could have led to the other. Two-dimensional echocardiography was useful in documenting pulmonary artery hypertension as well as regional wall motion abnormality of the right ventricle. Thrombolytic therapy and dobutamine infusion were useful. Nitrates, fluid infusion and diuretics should be used cautiously.     

Right Atrial Thrombus Simulating Myxoma on M-Mode Echocardiography in a Patient with Pulmonary Emboli

Abstract: Right atrial thrombus simulating myxoma on M-mode echocardiography in a patient with pulmonary emboli. E. G. Whitford, R. W. Harper, J. Federman, A. Skoien, S. T. Anderson and A. Pitt. Aust. N.Z. J. Med., 1982, 12 , pp. 543–545.
Echoes from a right atrial mass in a patient with pulmonary embolism simulated a typical echocardiography appearance of a right atrial myxoma. The patient was admitted with recurrent pulmonary emboli and had evidence of deep venous thrombosis on venography. M-mode echocardiography showed the appearance of a right atrial mass and right atrial angiography confirmed the presence of amass prolapsing from right atrium into right ventricle.
Subsequent 2-dimensional echocardiography and careful repeat M-mode echocardiography failed to demonstrate the mass suggesting embolisation to the lungs or lysis of the thrombus.     

Amniotic fluid embolism: a rare cause of acute left-sided heart failure

STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: Two case reports, University Hospital of Antwerp, tertiary referral hospital of the University of Antwerp, Edegem, Belgium. METHODS AND RESULTS: Two women were transferred to our hospital because of acute cardiorespiratory failure due to amniotic fluid embolism during the peripartal period. Both required intensive supportive treatment and invasive monitoring. Haemodynamic data revealed primary left ventricular failure confirming the clinical picture of cardiogenic pulmonary oedema. Review of the literature provides data that do not support obstruction of the pulmonary vasculature by amniotic fluid as the only primary pathophysiological event. However, despite several case reports stressing left ventricular failure as the dominant clinical event, pathophysiological mechanisms are merely speculative. CONCLUSIONS: The diagnosis of amniotic fluid embolism remains a clinical challenge, but can be supported by the presence of amniotic cells in the pulmonary artery, aspirated through a pulmonary artery catheter. The treatment is still not causative but supportive. An overview of cases in the literature with predominant left heart failure during amniotic fluid embolism is given.     

Prognostic value of echocardiography and spiral computed tomography in patients with pulmonary embolism

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The identification of patients with pulmonary embolism who are at risk for mortality or severe morbidity in the early observation period is important because these patients may benefit from more aggressive initial treatment such as thrombolysis or catheter removal of the thrombus. Right ventricular dysfunction has been suggested to have a prognostic value for the occurrence of these adverse outcomes. The purpose of this review is to determine the prevalence and prognostic value of right ventricular dysfunction, in particular in normotensive patients with pulmonary embolism. The association between right ventricular dysfunction and outcome of pulmonary embolism was evaluated for studies using echocardiography, spiral computed tomography, or both to detect right ventricular dysfunction. RECENT FINDINGS: Seven studies using echocardiography with a total of 3468 patients and six studies using spiral computed tomography with a total of 868 patients were identified. The prevalence of right ventricular dysfunction with echocardiography in normotensive patients was approximately 30 to 40%, with a positive predictive value for short-term mortality of approximately 5%. These indices could not be calculated for normotensive patients in the studies that used spiral computed tomography. SUMMARY: The studies using echocardiography show that there is an association between right ventricular dysfunction and prognosis of pulmonary embolism in normotensive patients. Whether this is clinically useful in guiding more aggressive therapy remains to be determined, however. Thus far, the results of the studies with spiral computed tomography are too preliminary to enable definite conclusions to be drawn for the normotensive patient group.     

A case of paradoxical embolism "in situ" associated with massive pulmonary embolism: role of echocardiography

A 49-year-old man was admitted in transfer for further management of a pulmonary embolism (PE) and possible mitral valve vegetation. Transthoracic echocardiography performed at our institution showed evidence of right ventricular (RV) enlargement and dysfunction. Within the right atrium was a serpentine mobile thrombus which traversed the interatrial septum at the level of the fossa ovalis and extended into the left atrium to the level of the anterior mitral valve leaflet. Because of the patient's dyspnea, RV dysfunction, and large clot burden, thrombolytic therapy was considered and would have been administered had the thrombus in situ not been identified. In light of the thrombus in situ and the concern about possible systemic embolization with thrombolytic therapy, the patient underwent successful surgical thrombectomy. This case highlights the importance of echocardiography in the management of patients with PE. We believe that all patients should undergo echocardiography prior to receiving thrombolytic therapy for pulmonary emboli. Careful interrogation of the interatrial septum for the presence of a thrombus in situ is warranted. Thrombectomy should be considered in individuals with PE who have a thrombus in situ.     

Amniotic fluid embolism in a 24-year-old female after caesarean section - a case report

A case of a 24-year-old female with amniotic fluid embolism following an urgent caesarean section is presented. Medical treatment was effective. Prognosis in this condition and differential diagnosis are discussed.     

Unusual pulmonary embolism: septic pulmonary embolism and amniotic fluid embolism.

BACKGROUND: Septic and amniotic fluid emboli are rare sources of pulmonary embolism (PE), so the present study sought to elucidate the background of these cases. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 11,367 PE cases were identified from 396,982 postmortem examinations. The incidence of septic PE was 247 (2.2%) of the total. The origin of infection was found in 85.6% of the cases. Fungal embolus was detected more often than bacterial embolus. The most frequently detected fungus was aspergillus (20.8%). The primary disease associated with fungal embolus was leukemia (43.2%). The incidence of PE cases associated with pregnancy and/or delivery was 89 (0.8%) of the total PE cases. Among them, amniotic fluid embolism was found in 33 (73.3%) of 45 PE cases with vaginal delivery, and in 7 (21.2%) of 33 PE cases with cesarean delivery (p<0.0001). CONCLUSION: Fungal embolus was more frequent than bacterial embolus, and leukemia was most frequent as the primary disease in cases of fungal embolus. The main cause of PE in cesarean section cases was thrombotic embolism, and the main cause in vaginal delivery cases was amniotic fluid embolism.     

Successful treatment of intraoperative pulmonarytumor embolism from renal cell carcinoma

Summary During left nephrectomy in a 35-year-old woman with a left renal cell carcinoma extending into the inferior vena cava (IVC) and right atrium, cardiac arrest occurred. Immediate transesophageal echocardiography demonstrated that the event was caused by a pulmonary tumor embolism. Emergent cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) was established and the tumors in the pulmonary arteries were successfully removed. The left nephrectomy was completed. The patient recovered in the intensive care unit without any neurological deficit. A postoperative pulmonary perfusion scintigram showed no defect in the pulmonary circulation. Transesophageal echocardiography was useful for making a rapid diagnosis of an intraoperative pulmonary embolism originating from a tumor of the IVC or right atrium.     

Chest radiographs in acute pulmonary embolism. Results from the International Cooperative Pulmonary Embolism Registry

OBJECTIVES: To characterize chest radiographic interpretations in a large population of patients who have received a diagnosis of acute pulmonary embolism and to estimate the sensitivity and specificity of chest radiographic abnormalities for right ventricular hypokinesis that has been diagnosed by echocardiography. DESIGN: A prospective observational study at 52 hospitals in seven countries. PATIENTS: A total of 2,454 consecutive patients who had received a diagnosis of acute pulmonary embolism between January 1995 and November 1996. RESULTS: Chest radiographs were available for 2,322 patients (95%). The most common chest radiographic interpretations were cardiac enlargement (27%), normal (24%), pleural effusion (23%), elevated hemidiaphragm (20%), pulmonary artery enlargement (19%), atelectasis (18%), and parenchymal pulmonary infiltrates (17%). The results of chest radiographs were abnormal for 509 of 655 patients (78%) who had undergone a major surgical procedure within 2 months of the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism: normal results for chest radiograph often accompanied pulmonary embolism after genitourinary procedures (37%), orthopedic surgery (29%), or gynecologic surgery (28%), whereas they rarely accompanied pulmonary emboli associated with thoracic procedures (4%). Chest radiographs were interpreted to show cardiac enlargement for 149 of 309 patients with right ventricular hypokinesis that was detected by echocardiography (sensitivity, 0.48) and for 178 of 485 patients without right ventricular hypokinesis (specificity, 0.63). Chest radiographs were interpreted to show pulmonary artery enlargement for 118 of 309 patients with right ventricular hypokinesis (sensitivity, 0.38) and for 117 of 483 patients without right ventricular hypokinesis (specificity, 0.76). CONCLUSIONS: Cardiomegaly is the most common chest radiographic abnormality associated with acute pulmonary embolism. Neither pulmonary artery enlargement nor cardiomegaly appears sensitive or specific for the echocardiographic finding of right ventricular hypokinesis, an important predictor of mortality associated with acute pulmonary embolism.     

Right atrial myxoma mistaken for recurrent pulmonary thromboembolism

A 69 year old man was admitted for investigation of right sided pleuritic chest pain and dyspnoea, both of which began suddenly four days before admission. Acute pulmonary embolism was diagnosed. Six months after discharge while on warfarin he died. Necropsy found a 50 mm diameter myxoid tumour arising on the right atrial side of the interatrial septum. This lesion may have been discovered earlier by echocardiography although there were no clear indications for this investigation. Presentation was that of recurrent pulmonary embolism with no obvious source or cause of thrombosis. Patients who are thought to have idiopathic pulmonary embolism should undergo early echocardiography to exclude the rare but treatable diseases of the right heart that may be responsible

Keywords: atrial myxoma     

Impending paradoxical embolism visualized by echocardiography combined with pulmonary embolism: a case report

A 43-year-old man was admitted to our hospital complaining of dyspnea on exertion and dizziness. Transthoracic echocardiography revealed a mobile mass (3.5 x 1.0 cm) attached to the left atrial septum and transesophageal echocardiography showed the mass in the right atrium protruding through the patent foramen ovale into the left atrium. A mobile snake-like thrombus was apparent in the right atrium and right ventricle. The diagnosis was pulmonary embolism with impending paradoxical emboli.     

M-mode echocardiography in acute pulmonary embolism

Twenty-two patients with acute pulmonary embolism were examined by M-mode echocardiography. It was possible to examine both ventricles (with precordial approach) and the right branch of the pulmonary artery (with suprasternal approach) in all patients. With significant pulmonary embolism there occurs dilatation of the right ventricle and of the right branch of the pulmonary artery. The size of the right branch of the pulmonary artery in patients was significantly different from that of healthy volunteers. However, no significant correlation between the degree of anatomic changes (documented by echocardiography) and haemodynamics in the lesser circulation was found. Literature concerning other possibilities of echocardiography in the diagnosis of acute pulmonary embolism is reviewed. Echocardiography represents a suitable complement to diagnostic methods used for the assessment of acute states.     

Continuous hemodiafiltration for disseminated intravascular coagulation and shock due to amniotic fluid embolism: report of a dramatic response

We describe a 27-year-old woman with disseminated intravascular coagulation and shock due to amniotic fluid embolism after Caesarean section who responded well to continuous hemodiafiltration (CHDF) therapy. The effectiveness of CHDF in treating amniotic fluid embolism is also discussed.     

超声心动图诊断急性肺动脉栓塞的价值

目的 :分析评价床旁超声心动图 (ECHO)在急性肺动脉栓塞 (APE)诊断中的实用价值。方法 :采用经胸ECHO对临床怀疑APE的 5 8例患者在 4～ 6h内行床旁ECHO检查。结果 :超声直接检出主肺动脉及左右肺动脉主干近端血栓者 4例 ,均被外科手术或肺动脉造影证实。本组具有典型右心负荷过重超声征象者 15例 (其中包括具有超声直接征象的 4例 ) ,核素肺灌注 通气扫描提示为双肺多发性大面积栓塞。仅右房、右室轻度增大或肺动脉轻度增宽者 19例 ,ECHO无改变者 2 4例 ,但核素肺灌注 通气扫描均提示为肺段或亚段栓塞。结论 :ECHO能够发现主肺动脉、左右肺动脉干内附壁血栓直接提示肺动脉栓塞 ,或根据右室负荷过重表现间接提示肺栓塞的可能 ,但对肺段或亚段栓塞者超声不能作出或排除诊断。     

Right atrial mobile thrombus in a patient with acute, massive pulmonary embolism effectively treated with thrombolysis -- a case report

A 74-year old woman was admitted to the orthopaedic word due to femoral bone fracture. Six days later she was admitted to the intensive care unit because of the clinical signs of circulatory and respiratory failure. Because acute pulmonary embolism was suspected, transthoracic echocardiography was performed and showed typical signs of acute massive pulmonary embolism as well as a highly mobile, longitudinal, additional echo in the right atrium attached to the interatrial septum in the place of foramen ovale, prolapsing in the diastole into the right ventricle. The patient was immediately and successfully treated with thrombolysis. Treatment options in patients with acute pulmonary embolism and right atrial mobile thrombus are discussed.     

Prognostic Value of ECG Among Patients with Acute Pulmonary Embolism and Normal Blood Pressure

Objective

To investigate the prognostic value of electrocardiography (ECG) alone or in combination with echocardiography in patients with acute pulmonary embolism and normal blood pressure.

Methods

Consecutive adult patients presenting to the emergency department at Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Careggi with the first episode of pulmonary embolism were included. Patients with systolic blood pressure less than 100 mm Hg were excluded. ECG and echocardiography were performed within 1 hour from diagnosis and evaluated in a blinded fashion. Right ventricular strain was diagnosed in the presence of one or more of the following ECG findings: complete or incomplete right ventricular branch block, S1Q3T3, and negative T wave in V1-V4. The main outcome measurement was clinical deterioration or death during in-hospital stay. The association of variables with the main outcome was evaluated by multivariate Cox survival analysis.

Results

A total of 386 patients with proved pulmonary embolism were included in the study; 201 patients (52%) had right ventricular dysfunction according to echocardiography, and 130 patients (34%) showed right ventricular strain. Twenty-three patients (6%) had clinical deterioration or died. At multivariate survival analysis, right ventricular strain was associated with adverse outcome (hazard ratio 2.58; 95% confidence interval, 1.05-6.36) independently of echocardiographic findings. Patients with both right ventricular strain and right ventricular dysfunction (26%) showed an 8-fold elevated risk of adverse outcome (hazard ratio 8.47; 95% confidence interval, 2.43-29.47).

Conclusion

Right ventricular strain pattern on ECG is associated with adverse short-term outcome and adds incremental prognostic value to echocardiographic evidence of right ventricular dysfunction in patients with acute pulmonary embolism and normal blood pressure.     

Prognostic value of echocardiographic right/left ventricular end-diastolic diameter ratio in patients with acute pulmonary embolism: results from a monocenter registry of 1,416 patients

BACKGROUND: In the literature, echocardiographic assessment of the prognosis of acute pulmonary embolism is based on analysis of right ventricle free-wall motion or on a composite index combining right ventricular dilatation, paradoxical septal wall motion, and pulmonary hypertension. The aim of this study was to determine the prognostic value of a single quantitative echocardiographic criterion, the right/left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (RV/LV) ratio. METHODS: Registry data on 1,416 consecutive patients hospitalized for acute pulmonary embolism were used to study retrospectively a population of 950 patients who underwent echocardiographic assessment on hospital admission and for whom the RV/LV ratio was available. RESULTS: The hospital mortality rate for the series was 3.3%. Sensitivity and specificity of RV/LV ratio >or= 0.9 for predicting hospital mortality were 72% and 58%, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed the independent predictive factors for hospital mortality to be the following: systolic BP < 90 mm Hg (odds ratio [OR], 10.73; p < 0.0001), history of left heart failure (OR, 8.99; p < 0.0001), and RV/LV ratio >or= 0.9 (OR, 2.66; p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: In our retrospective series, an echocardiographic RV/LV ratio >or= 0.9 was shown to be an independent predictive factor for hospital mortality. This criterion may be of value in selecting cases of submassive pulmonary embolism with a poor prognosis that are liable to benefit from thrombolytic treatment.