Massive pulmonary embolism immediately diagnosed by transthoracic echocardiography and treated with tenecteplase fibrinolysis

J Thromb Thrombolysis. 2009 Aug;28(2):238-41. doi: 10.1007/s11239-008-0261-7. Epub 2008 Aug 27.

Abstract

We report the case of a 75-year-old woman with new onset dyspnoea, hypotension, and right bundle branch block. Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) showed a thrombus in the right pulmonary artery and acute pulmonary embolism was diagnosed. The patient immediately underwent fibrinolysis with tenecteplase, with prompt recovery of clinical conditions and ECG anomalies. Bedside TTE might be helpful for immediate diagnosis of massive PE needing rapid treatment by fibrinolysis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Echocardiography
  • Female
  • Fibrinolytic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Pulmonary Embolism / diagnostic imaging*
  • Pulmonary Embolism / drug therapy
  • Tenecteplase
  • Tissue Plasminogen Activator / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Fibrinolytic Agents
  • Tissue Plasminogen Activator
  • Tenecteplase