Thrombolysis during extended cardiopulmonary resuscitation for autoimmune-related pulmonary embolism

BACKGROUND: Massive pulmonary embolism(MPE) and acute myocardial infarction are the two most common causes of cardiac arrest(CA). At present, lethal hemorrhage makes thrombolytic therapy underused during cardiopulmonary resuscitation, despite the potential benefits for these underlying conditions. Hypercoagulability of the blood in autoimmune disorders(such as autoimmune hemolytic anemia) carries a risk of MPE. It is critical to find out the etiology of CA for timely thrombolytic intervention.METHODS: A 23-year-old woman with a 10-year medical history of autoimmune hemolytic anemia suffered from CA in our emergency intensive care unit. ECG and echocardiogram indicated the possibility of MPE, so f ibrinolytic therapy(alteplase) was successful during prolonged resuscitation.RESULTS: Neurological recovery of the patient was generally good, and no fatal bleeding developed. MPE was documented by CT pulmonary angiography.CONCLUSIONS: A medical history of autoimmune disease poses a risk of PE, and the causes of CA(such as this) should be investigated etiologically. A therapy with alteplase may be used early during cardiopulmonary resuscitation once there is presumptive evidence of PE. Clinical trials are needed in this setting to study patients with hypercoagulable states.     

Thrombolysis for massive pulmonary embolism in pregnancy: a case report

Acute colonic pseudo-obstruction (ACPO), also known as Ogilvie syndrome, is a massive dilation of the colon in the absence of mechanical obstruction. Treatment measures may include anticholinergic agents such as neostigmine, colonoscopy, or fluoroscopic decompression, surgical decompression, and partial or complete colectomy. We reviewed the case of a 26-year-old male with cerebral palsy who had a history of chronic intermittent constipation who presented to the emergency department (ED) with signs of impaction despite recurrent fleet enemas and oral polyethylene glycol 3350. The patient was found to have a massive colonic distention of 26 cm likely because of bowel dysmotility, consistent with ACPO. This article includes a discussion of the literature and images that represent clinical examination, x-ray, and computed tomography (CT) findings of this patient, who successfully underwent conservative management only. Emergency department detection of this condition is important, and early intervention may prevent surgical intervention and associated complications.     

Thrombolysis during cardiopulmonary resuscitation in fulminant pulmonary embolism: a review.

OBJECTIVE: To review current knowledge on thrombolysis in patients with fulminant pulmonary embolism (FPE) who need cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). DATA SOURCES: The bibliography for the study was compiled through a search of different databases between 1966 and 2000. References cited in the articles selected were also reviewed. STUDY SELECTION: The selection criteria included all reports published on thrombolysis, pulmonary embolism, and CPR, from case reports and case series to controlled studies. DATA SYNTHESIS: Very few studies evaluated thrombolysis in cases of FPE that required CPR and most of these were clinical case reports and case series with a low level of scientific evidence. There has been no clinical trial to address this issue. CONCLUSIONS: FPE can frequently produce cardiac arrest, which has an extremely high mortality despite application of the usual CPR measures. The administration of thrombolytic therapy during CPR could help to reduce the mortality, although it has classically been contraindicated. There are no published clinical trials or other high-grade studies that evaluated the efficacy and safety of this approach. From the few existing studies, it can be inferred that thrombolysis may be efficacious and safe for patients with FPE who need CPR. However, a clinical trial is required to provide evidence of value for sound clinical decision-making.     

Catheter intervention for pulmonary embolism

Thrombolysis is generally accepted in patients with acute massive pulmonary embolism, however, thrombolytic agents could not be fully administrated for cases with a high risk of bleeding. On the other hand, catheter intervention is an optimal treatment for massive pulmonary embolism patients having contraindications for thrombolysis, and is a minimally invasive alternative to surgical embolectomy. It can be performed with a minimum dose of thrombolytic agents or without, and can be combined various procedures including catheter fragmentation or embolectomy in accordance with the extent of thrombus on pulmonary angiogram. Hybrid catheter intervention for massive pulmonary embolism can reduce rapidly heart rate and pulmonary artery pressure, and can improve the gas exchange indices and outcomes.     

Nonspecific tests for pulmonary embolism.

Many tests have been proposed as useful in the diagnostic evaluation of suspected PE, but nonspecific tests for PE can only add to the level of suspicion one has for the diagnosis. As Anderson indicates, "virtually all clinical and laboratory findings neither diagnose nor exclude the diagnosis of PE. They merely serve to heighten suspicion of the diagnosis and prompt the clinician to pursue additional diagnostic studies." D-dimer measurement is promising as a test to exclude PE in young healthy out-patients, and further study and improvements in technology, can clarify the usefulness of the different methods of performing this assay. For now, diagnostic algorithms for PE should continue to incorporate multiple tests and decision points, but the standard remains specialized imaging techniques.     

Endovascular interventions for acute pulmonary embolism

Massive pulmonary embolism (PE) is a highly lethal condition with clinical manifestations of hemodynamic instability, acute right ventricular (RV) failure, and cardiogenic shock. Submassive PE, as defined by RV failure or troponin elevation, can result in life-threatening sequelae if treatment is not initiated promptly. Current treatment paradigm in patients with massive PE mandates prompt risk stratification with aggressive therapeutic strategies. With the advent of endovascular technologies, various catheter-based thrombectomy and thrombolytic devices are available to treat patients with massive or submassive PE. In this article, a variety of endovascular treatment strategies for PE are analyzed. The authors' institutional experience with ultrasound-accelerated thrombolytic therapy as well as catheter-directed thrombolytic therapy in patients with acute massive PE during a recent 10-year period is discussed. Finally, clinical evidence on the utilization of catheter-based interventions in patients with massive and submassive PE is also analyzed.     

Mechanical circulatory assist for pulmonary embolism

Optimal management of acute pulmonary embolism remains controversial, despite advances in thrombolytic therapy. Haemodynamic instability and, in particular, right ventricular dysfunction is associated with poor outcomes. Urgent surgical embolectomy has been the treatment of choice in this category of patients. We present two cases in which percutaneous cardiopulmonary support (PCPS) was used as an adjunct to thrombolytic therapy for progressive circulatory collapse secondary to massive acute pulmonary embolism. This experience suggests that PCPS may offer an attractive option for a condition which continues to carry significant morbidity and mortality.     

Acute pulmonary embolism

Venous thromboembolism is the third leading cause of cardiovascular death in the United States and is the second leading cause of death among hospitalized cancer patients. Continued controversy exists regarding the role of thrombolytic therapy among patients with acute pulmonary embolism. Limited research exists on thrombolytic therapy in this setting, most of which has focused on symptoms, including right ventricular function, hemodynamic status, and electrocardiographic changes. However, these studies have excluded patients with a known malignancy. Presented is an interesting case of a patient, in remission from breast cancer, who presented to the emergency department with symptomatic pulmonary emboli. The presentation, medical management, and consequences of the treatment have been discussed. Also, a brief review of the literature is presented regarding the treatment of acute pulmonary embolism.     

Major pulmonary embolism

The scope and spectrum of pulmonary embolism (PE) that are likely to challenge the intensivist are dominantly confined to 2 scenarios; first, a patient presenting with undifferentiated shock or respiratory failure and, second, an established intensive care unit (ICU) or hospital patient who develops hemodynamically unstable PE after admission. In either scenario, the diagnostic approach and therapeutic options are challenging. Differentiating PE from other life-threatening cardiopulmonary disorders can be exceedingly difficult. This article will review a structured pathophysiologic approach to the diagnostic, resuscitative and management strategies related to PE in the ICU.