Successful outcome of medical therapy in a case of acute massive pulmonary thromboembolism presenting with saddle thromboembolus

Indian J Chest Dis Allied Sci. 2006 Jan-Mar;48(1):71-3.

Abstract

Antemortem diagnosis of acute massive pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) with a large thromboembolus at the bifurcation of the pulmonary trunk (saddle thromboembolus) is difficult, as most patients either die or are too ill for any diagnostic imaging. We report a case of massive PTE where constrast enhanced computed tomographic (CECT) scan of chest detected a saddle thromboembolus and showed its resolution with anticoagulant treatment. In our case, the presenting feature was unusual massive PTE as there was no haemodynamic instability or hypoxaemia.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Anticoagulants / therapeutic use*
  • Enoxaparin / therapeutic use
  • Femoral Vein
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Popliteal Vein
  • Pulmonary Embolism / diagnosis*
  • Pulmonary Embolism / drug therapy*
  • Pulmonary Embolism / etiology
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Venous Thrombosis / complications
  • Warfarin / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Anticoagulants
  • Enoxaparin
  • Warfarin