B-type natriuretic peptide in acute pulmonary embolism

Myocardial stretch leads to the natriuretic peptides release in acute or chronic left ventricular dysfunction. However, there is an accumulating evidence that B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and its N-terminal fragment (NT-proBNP) may originate from right ventricle and their concentrations are elevated in patients with acute pulmonary embolism (APE) especially when resulting in right ventricular dysfunction (RVD). Recently it is underlined that severity assessment of APE as well as the risk stratification and therapy selection is based both on patients' hemodynamic status and markers of myocardial injury and RVD. BNP and NT-proBNP are helpful in identifying patients with RVD in APE, emerging as an adjunctive tool to echocardiography. Elevated BNP or NT-proBNP levels are also significant predictors of death and/or complicated clinical course in APE.     

Echocardiographic visualization of acute pulmonary embolus and thrombolysis in the ED

Echocardiography has been used to diagnose acute right-sided dysfunction arising from pulmonary embolism (PE). Rarely, it can visualize the embolic material in the right heart cavities. We report a case of acute PE that was seen in the right ventricle and right pulmonary artery using bedside transthoracic echocardiography in the ED. As a result of the prompt diagnosis of a massive embolus and associated right ventricular dysfunction, the patient was treated with thrombolytics. Serial echocardiographs confirmed the response to therapy and the dissolution of thrombi. In this report, echocardiographic findings of acute PE and indications of thrombolytics in PE are also reviewed from the literature. Based on available evidence, those patients who present with cardiogenic shock from PE, and young patients with acute PE leading to right ventricular dysfunction benefit the most from early thrombolytic therapy.     

Right ventricular strain in pulmonary embolism by Doppler tissue echocardiography.

For patients with submassive pulmonary embolism, failure of the right ventricle can often be visualized by 2-dimensional echocardiography. We used strain analysis to demonstrate changes in the regional right ventricular free wall performance during the acute and recovery stages of pulmonary embolism.     

B-type natriuretic peptide as an indicator of right ventricular dysfunction in acute pulmonary embolism

Objective: B‐type natriuretic peptide (BNP) is a neurohormone secreted from cardiac ventricles in response to ventricular strain. The aim of present study was to evaluate the role of BNP in the diagnosis of the right ventricular (RV) dysfunction in acute pulmonary embolism (PE). Methods: BNP levels were measured in patients with acute PE as diagnosed by high probability lung scan or positive spiral computed tomography. All patients underwent standard echocardiography and blood tests during the second hour of the diagnosis. Results: Forty patients diagnosed as acute PE (mean age, 60.4 ± 13.2 years; 62.5% women) were enrolled in this study. Patients with RV dysfunction had significantly higher BNP levels than patients without RV dysfunction (426 ± 299.42 pg/ml vs. 39.09 ± 25.22 pg/ml, p < 0.001). BNP‐discriminated patients with or without RV dysfunction (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, 0.943; 95% CI, 0.863–1.022). BNP > 90 pg/ml was associated with a risk ratio of 165 (95% CI, 13.7–1987.2) for the diagnosis of RV dysfunction. There was a significant correlation between RV end‐diastolic diameter and BNP (r = 0.89, p < 0.001). Sixteen patients (40%) were diagnosed as having low‐risk PE, 19 patients (47.5%) with submassive PE and five patients (12.5%) with massive PE. The mean BNP was 39.09 ± 25.2, 378.4 ± 288.4 and 609.2 ± 279.2 pg/ml in each group respectively. Conclusion: Measurement of BNP levels may be a useful approach in diagnosis of RV dysfunction in patients with acute PE. The possibility of RV dysfunction in patients with plasma BNP levels > 90 pg/ml should be strongly considered.     

B-type natriuretic peptide levels in patients with COPD and normal right ventricular function

INTRODUCTION: Evidence suggests that elevated plasma levels of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) are found in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and right ventricular dysfunction. We examined the effects of exercise on plasma BNP levels in patients with COPD who have normal right ventricular function METHODS: Seventeen patients with a diagnosis of COPD and normal right ventricular function demonstrated by radionuclide ventriculography, and 17 age-and sex-matched healthy subjects underwent a treadmill exercise test. Plasma BNP levels were measured sequentially before, immediately after, and 1 hour after the exercise test RESULTS: The mean plasma BNP+/-standard deviation levels of the COPD and control groups before exercise were 21.3+/-16 pg/ml and 13.4+/-11 pg/ml, respectively (P>0.05). Mean plasma BNP level measured immediately after exercise was 37.9+/-31 pg/ml in the COPD group, reflecting a statistically significant increase when compared with the initial value (P<0.05). The control group did not show any significant change in plasma BNP levels after the exercise test CONCLUSIONS: Exercise induces an increase in plasma BNP levels in patients with COPD who do not have right ventricular dysfunction at rest. Measurement of exercise-induced BNP levels may be a useful alternative to pulmonary artery catheterisation in identifying the patients who are likely to benefit from long-term oxygen therapy.     

Conséquences hémodynamiques de l’embolie pulmonaire

Acute pulmonary embolism is defined by the occurrence of right ventricular failure secondary to an increase in ventricular afterload. The existence of hypotension, peripheral signs of shock and/or right ventricular dysfunction are associated with a mortality excess. The interactions between the pulmonary vascular anomalies, the function of the left and right ventricles and the coronary circulation reflect the haemodynamic changes seen at the different stages of acute pulmonary embolism. Echocardiography allows the haemodynamic consequences of pulmonary embolism to be determined, as well as certain other scan indicators. Over the last few years, research has been focused on patients at intermediate risk, i.e. not hypotensive but presenting with echocardiographic signs of right ventricular dysfunction, as well as an increase in myocardial markers (proBNP [brain natriuretic peptide], BNP and troponin). The place for different symptomatic or etiological therapeutic treatments are discussed.     

Facteurs pronostiques de l’embolie pulmonaire

Risk stratification of patients with pulmonary embolism represents an important step and may help to guide initial therapeutic management. Pulmonary embolism can be stratified into several levels of risk of early death or complications based on the presence of several risk factors. High-risk pulmonary embolism is defined by shock or peripheral signs of hypoperfusion. It is a life-threatening emergency with high short-term mortality (> 25%) requiring specific therapeutic strategy with inotropic agents and fibrinolysis. In patients with normotensive pulmonary embolism, the presence of right ventricular dysfunction on echocardiography and/or myocardial injury, as attested by elevated levels of biomarkers, is associated with an intermediate risk of early death. These patients need close monitoring, while evaluation of fibrinolysis efficacy is currently underway. Patients with normotensive pulmonary embolism and without right ventricular dysfunction or myocardial injury have low risk of death. These patients may be candidates for home treatment. Several scores combining these risk factors have been described.     

超声心动图联合脑钠肽检测评价急性肺栓塞溶栓治疗效果

目的 探讨超声心动图联合血浆脑钠肽(brain natriuretic peptide,BNP)检测在急性肺栓塞(acute pulmonary embolism,APE)溶栓治疗中的价值.方法 确诊APE且超声提示有右心压力超负荷征象患者31例进行溶栓治疗,分别在溶栓前和溶栓后24～48 h行超声、肺通气-灌注显像检查及BNP检测.结果 26例溶栓有效,溶栓后其肺动脉收缩压由(57.3±18.2)mm Hg降至(40.4±15.4)mm Hg(P=0.003),右室舒张末径由(40.6±6.1)mm减小为(35.4±6.0)mm(P＜0.01),肺动脉内径由(27.2±4.9)mm减小为(22.5±4.4)mm(P=0.004),左室舒张末径由(42.4±7.2)mm增加为(43.1±6.9)mm(P=0.42),室间隔矛盾运动者由20例减少为10例,血浆BNP由(278.8±43.3)ng/L下降为(119.1±40.4)ng/L(P=0.000 01).5例溶栓无效,溶栓前后超声心动图各参数无明显变化,但血浆BNP由(431.8±57.7)ng/L增加为(496.4±70.3)ng/L(P=0.03).血浆BNP水平与肺动脉收缩压有较好相关关系(r=0.62,P＜0.01).结论 溶栓治疗能迅速改善APE患者的肺灌注和右心功能.超声联合BNP水平检测可敏感地反映溶栓治疗中的血流动力学变化,准确评价疗效.

Abstract：

Objective To explore the value of combined echocardiography and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels in acute pulmonary embolism (APE) treated by thrombolysis.Methods Echocardiography,pulmonary ventilation-perfusion imaging and plasma BNP levels were performed before thrombolysis and 24 - 48 h after thrombolysis in 31 patients with diagnosis of APE and signs of right ventricular pressure overload.Results Twenty-six patients with thrombolysis effective,after thrombolysis,the pulmonary artery systolic pressure decreased from (57.3 ± 18.2)mm Hg to (40.4 ± 15.4)mm Hg (P= 0.003) ,the right ventricular diastolic diameter reduced from (40.6 ± 6.1)mm to (35.4 ± 6.0)mm (P ＜0.01) ,the pulmonary artery diameter reduced from (27.2 ± 4.9)mm to (22.5 ± 4.4)mm (P = 0.004) ,the left ventricular diastolic diameter increased from (42.4 ± 7.2)mm to (43.1 ± 6.9)mm (P = 0.42),septal contradiction were reduced from 20 cases to 10 cases (P = 0.02),plasma BNP levels decreased from (278.8 ± 43.3)ng/L to (119.1 ± 40.4)ng/L (P = 0.000 01).Five patients with thrombolysis ineffective,there were no significant changes before and after thrombolytic therapy in the parameters of echocardiography,however,plasma BNP levels increased from (431.8 ± 57.7) ng/L to (496.4 ± 70.3) ng/L(P = 0.03).Plasma BNP levels and pulmonary artery systolic pressure had a better relationship(r = 0.62,P ＜0.01).Conclusions The pulmonary perfusion and right ventricular function in patients with APE can be rapidly improved by thrombolytic therapy.Combined echocardiography and the BNP levels is a sensitive index in the hemodynamic changes of thrombolytic therapy,and can evaluate the treatment accurately.     

阿替普酶治疗急性肺栓塞高危患者29例疗效观察

目的探讨阿替普酶溶栓治疗急性肺栓塞高危患者的效果及安全性。方法 29例急性肺栓塞患者均应用阿替普酶进行溶栓治疗,溶栓后24h行CT肺动脉造影评定疗效,行超声心动图检查观察溶栓前、后右心室舒张末期前后径（anterior-posterior diameter,APD）、右心室舒张末期横径（transverse diameter,TD）、肺动脉压（pulmonary arterial pressure,PAP）、三尖瓣反流压差（tricuspid valve pressure gradient,TRPG）、右心室壁运动幅度（right ventricular wall motion amplitude,RVAWM）,检测溶栓前、后D-二聚体、B型脑钠肽（（brain natriuretic peptide,BNP）水平,记录溶栓后不良反应发生情况。结果本组有效率为93.1%;溶栓后APD、TD、PAP、TRPG较溶栓前下降,RVAWM较溶栓前增加（P〈0.05）;D-二聚体、BNP水平较治疗前下降（P〈0.05）;溶栓后出血4例,死亡1例。结论阿替普酶适用于急性肺栓塞高危患者的快速溶栓治疗。     

Natriuretic peptide type-B can be a marker of reperfusion in patients with pulmonary thromboembolism subjected to invasive treatment

This study was intended to investigate changes in cardiac biomarkers and pulmonary hemodynamic effects of invasive treatment in patients with intermediate-risk (hemodynamic stability with evidence of right ventricle dysfunction and/or myocardial injury) pulmonary embolism. Also, to also evaluate if natriuretic peptide type-B (NT-proBNP) plasma levels are associated with right ventricle function and pulmonary arterial pressures. Interventional study: Fourteen normotensive adult patients with acute and radiologically massive pulmonary embolism plus positive biomarkers and evidences of right ventricle dysfunction underwent invasive pulmonary angiography for invasive treatment consisting on mechanical thrombus fragmentation and catheter-directed intrathrombus thrombolysis. Angiography was repeated after 12–24 h to reevaluate perfusion status. Plasma biomarkers were monitored before and 8-h after intervention. Biomarkers were initially elevated in all patients. Eleven patients (78.6%) exhibited significant angiographic reperfusion. NT-proBNP and mean pulmonary arterial pressure decreased significantly in all of them [3693 (1803, 8862) to 1951 (1309, 7918) pg/ml; P = 0.008) and 40.0 (24.0, 46.0) to 22.0 (14.0, 27.0) mmHg; P = 0.003, respectively]. No significant variation was observed in troponin-T levels. In patients with high-risk pulmonary embolism, NT-proBNP plasma levels experience rapid and significant reduction after successful invasive treatment. In pulmonary embolism, serial measurements of NT-proBNP could be useful as a tracking tool to assess the success or failure of the thrombolytic treatment.     

Natriuretic peptides in acute pulmonary embolism: a systematic review

Background  Patients with pulmonary embolism (PE) have a high risk of death, and it is important to recognize factors associated with higher mortality. Recently, several biomarkers have been studied for risk stratification in patients with PE. Objectives  Evaluate the available evidence on (a) the accuracy of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) for the diagnosis of right ventricular dysfunction and (b) their value as a prognostic factor of all-cause in-hospital or short-term mortality in patients with PE. Data sources  MEDLINE, Embase, and citation review of relevant primary and review articles. Selection criteria  We selected studies evaluating the accuracy of BNP or NT-proBNP for the diagnosis of right ventricular dysfunction. We also selected studies that reported data on BNP or NT-proBNP as a predictor of short-term mortality in patients with PE. Results  Sixteen studies met our inclusion criteria. The pooled diagnostic odds ratio for the diagnosis of right ventricular dysfunction in pulmonary embolism was 39.45 (95% CI; 15.54–100.12) and 24.73 (95% CI 2.02–302.37) for BNP and NT-proBNP, respectively. The pooled odds ratio for all-cause in-hospital or short-term mortality was 6 (95% CI 1.31–27.43; p: 0.021) and 16.12 (95% CI 3.1–83.68; p: 0.001) for BNP (cutoff: 100 pg/ml) and NT-proBNP (cutoff: 600 ng/L), respectively. Conclusion  The results of this meta-analysis indicate that BNP and NT-proBNP are associated with the diagnosis of right ventricular dysfunction (RVD) in patients with an acute PE and are significant predictors of all-cause in-hospital or short-term mortality in these patients.     

Diagnosis and prognosis of acute pulmonary embolism: focus on serum troponins

Pulmonary embolism is a common disease associated with high mortality. Death due to pulmonary embolism occurs mainly before hospital admission or in the first hours of the hospital stay. Prompt diagnosis and prognostic stratification and more intensive treatment in patients with estimated high risk for adverse outcomes have the potential to reduce mortality due to pulmonary embolism. Significant advances have recently been made in the risk stratification for adverse outcomes in patients with pulmonary embolism and normal blood pressure. In these patients, right ventricle overload assessed by echocardiography and probably by helical computerized tomography is a predictor of in-hospital mortality. Serum troponin is rapidly available in the emergency room, and has a critical role in the management of patients with acute coronary syndromes. The role of serum troponin in patients with pulmonary embolism has been explored recently: it seems to be marginal in diagnosis while it can significantly contribute to prognostic stratification. Elevated serum levels of troponins are associated with right ventricular overload and adverse in-hospital outcomes in patients with pulmonary embolism and normal blood pressure.     

The natriuretic peptides and their role in disorders of right heart dysfunction and pulmonary hypertension

Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) are increased in conditions with cardiac ventricular volume and pressure overload. The general physiological and potential therapeutic roles of natriuretic peptides in respiratory disease, right ventricular (RV) dysfunction, and pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) are reviewed. BNP levels can be used to differentiate between dyspneic patients with a pure respiratory defect and those with RV dysfunction. BNP levels also correlate with mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP) and pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) in patients with PAH (atrial septal defect, chronic thromboembolic disease, and scleroderma). BNP is a predictor of mortality in patients with primary pulmonary hypertension (PPH). These are important clinical implications in that a noninvasive blood test may be used to identify high-risk patients for more invasive procedures such as cardiac catheterization. BNP or NT-proBNP measurements may also be used to guide therapy (e.g., pulmonary vasorelaxants) in PAH since upregulation of the natriuretic peptide pathway has been shown to reduce cardiac hypertrophy and PAH. Additionally, there may be therapeutic potential via recombinant BNP or neutral endopeptidase inhibitors in RV dysfunction and PAH.     

彩色多普勒超声检查在急性肺栓塞诊断与治疗中的价值

目的探讨彩色多普勒超声在急性肺栓塞诊断与治疗中的价值。方法对临床综合诊断(包括核素肺灌注扫描、MRI及肺动脉造影)为急性肺栓塞患者30例所进行的彩色多普勒超声心动图及周围血管彩色多普勒超声检查。结果超声心动图检出肺动脉分叉处血栓2例,右心异常改变者21例,其中右室增大伴右室收缩功能减退17例,右室肥厚15例,室间隔运动幅度减低17例,右房增大15例,肺动脉扩张6例。彩色多普勒血流显像在16例患者取得中度至重度三尖瓣反流,用连续多普勒测量三尖瓣反流速度,估测肺动脉收缩压,16例患者肺动脉压升高,范围32～105mmHg(63.5±21.09)mmHg,治疗后肺动脉压明显下降,25.0～55.7(39.6±12.16)mmHg。下肢深静脉彩色多普勒超声检查12例患者检出深静脉血栓,6例血流缓慢伴自发性云雾样回声。结论系统全面、动态的彩色多普勒超声心动图及周围血管彩色多普勒超声检查,对于急性肺栓塞患者的诊断的确立、疗效的评估均有重要价值。     

Right atrial spontaneous contrast: echocardiographic and clinical features

We describe the clinical and echocardiographic findings in eight patients with right atrial spontaneous echo contrast who were identified from 648 consecutive patients undergoing transesophageal echocardiography. Common findings in these patients were right atrial enlargement (8 patients), tricuspid regurgitation (7 patients), atrial fibrillation or flutter (6 patients), elevated right ventricular pressure (5 patients), moderate or severe mitral valve disease (5 patients), and right to left interatrial shunts (3 patients). Right heart catheterization in three patients showed markedly elevated right atrial, right ventricular, and pulmonary artery pressures. Two patients had thromboembolic events — one patient had recurrent pulmonary emboli, and another patient with an atrial septal aneurysm had recurrent transient ischemic attacks. Right atrial echo contrast is an uncommon finding at echocardiography that is associated with severe right heart dysfunction. It may also be associated with paradoxical or pulmonary embolism.     

Utility of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) as a screen for left ventricular dysfunction in patients with diabetes

OBJECTIVE: Routine screening of diabetic patients with echocardiography is not feasible due to its limited availability and high cost. B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) is secreted from the left ventricle in response to pressure overload and is elevated in both systolic and diastolic dysfunction. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: BNP levels were compared to echocardiographic findings in 263 patients. Patients were divided into two groups: clinical indication for echocardiography (CIE) (n = 172) and those without clinical indication for echocardiography (no-CIE) (n = 91). Cardiologists making the assessment of left ventricular function were blinded when measuring plasma levels of BNP. RESULTS: The 91 patients with no-CIE with echoes had similar BNP levels (83 +/- 16 pg/ml) to the 215 patients with no-CIE without echoes (63 +/- 10, P = 0.10). Patients with CIE and subsequent abnormal left ventricular function (n = 112) had a mean BNP concentration of 435 +/- 41 pg/ml, compared with those with no-CIE, but had abnormal left ventricular function on echo (n = 32) (161 +/- 40 pg/ml). Twenty-one of 32 patients with no-CIE but with abnormal left ventricular function had diastolic dysfunction (BNP 190 +/- 60 pg/ml). A receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve revealed that the area under the curve was 0.91 for CIE patients and 0.81 for no-CIE patients (P < 0.001). For those with no congestive heart failure (CHF) symptoms, BNP levels showed a high negative predictive value (91% for BNP values <39 pg/ml), while in those patients who had a CIE, BNP levels showed a high positive predictive value for the detection of left ventricular dysfunction (96% with BNP levels >90 pg/ml). CONCLUSIONS: BNP can reliably screen diabetic patients for the presence or absence of left ventricular dysfunction.     

超声心动图和NT-pro BNP在肺心病患者预后判断中的价值

摘 要 目的 探讨超声心动图、NT-pro BNP对肺心病患者预后判断的价值。 方法 将152例肺心病患者根据右心室功能分为右心代偿组和失代偿组,比较两组入院、出院时超声心动图和NT-pro BNP的变化,随访1年时的不良心血管事件发生情况,应用Kaplan-Meier生存分析评价两组的生存情况、Logistic回归分析1年不良心血管事件的危险因素、受试者工作特征性曲线评估相应的敏感性和特异性。结果 经过治疗代偿组患者的NT-pro BNP、右心室舒张末期内径、肺动脉压及右心室功能指标较失代偿组均有所改善（P<0.05）。随访1年,代偿组发生30例不良心血管事件,失代偿组46例。Kaplan-Meier生存分析两组间的中位生存时间有显著差别（P<0.05）。ROC曲线显示NT-pro BNP>1548.6 pg/mL预测患者1年不良心血管事件的敏感性为78.3%,特异性为76.4%;肺动脉压>67.3 mmHg预测1年不良心血管事件的敏感性为60.1%,特异性为55.3%;将NT-pro BNP与肺动脉压二者结合,其敏感性为88.4%,特异性为81.5%。结论 肺心病右心功能失代偿组患者预后差,NT-pro BNP、肺动脉收缩压可以作为预测患者1年不良心血管事件发生的因素。     

Evaluation of right ventricular dysfunction and prediction of clinical outcomes in acute pulmonary embolism by chest computed tomography: comparisons with echocardiography

To evaluate the ability to identify right ventricular (RV) dysfunction, and to predict adverse outcomes of chest computed tomography (CT), we compared CT and echocardiography in acute pulmonary embolism patients. We analyzed 56 patients diagnosed by CT with acute pulmonary embolism, who underwent echocardiography within 48 h of CT scan from January 2004 to December 2008. From the CT scan, the ratio of RV diameter to left ventricular diameter (RVd/LVd), the presence of septal bowing and embolus location were determined. RVd/LVd (P < 0.001), septal bowing (P < 0.001) and proximal embolism (P = 0.016) were associated with echocardiographic RV hypokinesia. The odds ratio for adverse clinical outcomes was 19.2 for the combination of three CT parameters (RVd/LVd > 1, septal bowing, and proximal embolism), and 13.4 for RV hypokinesia (each P = 0.001). The positive predictive value (PPV) for adverse clinical outcomes for echocardiographic RV hypokinesia was 55.0%, and the negative predictive value (NPV) was 96.2%. The three-parameter combination predicted adverse clinical outcomes with a PPV of 54.5%, and a NPV of 94.1%. CT parameters including RV dysfunction were significantly associated with poor outcomes. Rapid risk stratification of patients with acute pulmonary embolism based on chest CT appears to be comparable with echocardiography, is clinically reliable, and may be useful in guiding management strategy.     

Crossing atrial thrombus in a patient with recurrent pulmonary embolism

OBJECTIVES: To report the detection of a thrombus entrapped in a patent foramen ovale by echocardiography in a patient with recurrent pulmonary embolism. DESIGN: Case report. SETTING: Intensive care unit of a university hospital. PATIENT: A 62-yr-old man with initial deep venous thrombosis and recurrent minor pulmonary embolism followed by a severe embolic event with transitory hemiparesis 10 days after prostatectomy. INTERVENTION: Systemic anticoagulation, surgical removal of a crossing atrial thrombus, closure of a patent foramen ovale, and venous thrombectomy. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Transesophageal echocardiography revealed a large thrombus entrapped in a patent foramen ovale with portions in all four heart chambers. Intraoperatively, a 19-cm-long thrombus, shaped like the pelvic veins, was found. The patient was successfully weaned from cardiopulmonary bypass, requiring temporary positive inotropic support because of right ventricular dysfunction. Within 24 hrs of the operation, the patient was discharged to the intermediate care unit. CONCLUSIONS: Recurrent pulmonary embolism can potentially result in paradoxic embolism in patients with a patent foramen ovale. In such patients, it may be crucial to monitor right ventricular function and exclude right-to-left shunts by transesophageal echocardiography, regardless of clinical symptoms. The patent foramen ovale should be closed. This case emphasizes an important indication for transesophageal echocardiography in critically ill patients.     

Massive pulmonary embolism with anterolateral ST-segment elevation: electrocardiogram limitations and the role of echocardiogram

Although acute pulmonary embolism (PE) may give rise to certain electrocardiographic (ECG) changes, most of these changes have low sensitivity and specificity and are of limited value alone in the diagnosis. Possible ECG changes with acute PE include S(1)Q(3)T(3) pattern, atrial tachyarrhythmias, incomplete right bundle-branch block, or negative T wave over right and midprecordial leads. Elevation of ST segment is a rare ECG manifestation with PE. We present a case of PE that went unrecognized in the emergency department (ED). The patient presented with anterior chest pain and dyspnea, and ECG showed ST elevation in V3 through V6. The differential diagnosis included acute coronary syndrome and acute pericarditis. Echocardiography revealed dilatation and dysfunction of right ventricle. Emergent computed tomographic pulmonary angiography showed bilateral pulmonary artery thrombosis and confirmed the diagnosis. Thrombolytic therapy with tissue plasminogen activator was initiated, and symptoms subsided dramatically. We proposed that the ST elevation in anterolateral leads might be the reciprocal changes of myocardial strain in the interventricular septum or right ventricle lateral wall. In a patient with such a critical condition and a confusing ECG, echocardiography played an important role in the diagnostic procedure, enabling prompt therapeutic intervention.