Concomitant pulmonary embolism and aortic dissection: approach to anticoagulation

Abstract

The authors describe a case of a patient admitted with a pre-syncopal episode and precordial discomfort, and whose cardiac ultrasound performed in the Emergency Room was suggestive of Pulmonary Embolism. The patient was submitted to fibrinolytic therapy after cardiac arrest. The computerized tomography done after this episode not only confirmed the presence of pulmonary embolism but had also shown a Stanford Type B Aortic Dissection. The option was to maintain the therapeutic anticoagulation, having the patient evolved favourably.

Keywords: Anticoagulation; Anticoagulação; Aortic dissection; Dissecção da aorta; Pulmonary embolism; Tromboembolismo pulmonar.