CHSJ

Curr Health Sci J, vol. 35, no. 1, 2009

Pulmonary Artery Thrombus Thrombolysed WITH Reteplase

[Case report]

Alina Giuca(1), I. Donoiu(2)


(1) Craiova Cardiology Center;
(2) Craiova University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Internal Medicine – Cardiology


Abstract:

We present the case of a 70 years old woman, admitted in Craiova Cardiology Center for repeated fainting, hypotension, thoracic discomfort and cough, which appeared suddenly the same day. The clinical exam showed: cold, pale, sweated skin, tachypnoea, tachycardia, a diastolic murmur in the third intercostal space near the sternum edge, a third degree systolic murmur above the lower sternum, and a blood pressure of 80/60 mmHg. The electrocardiogram showed signs of right ventricular overload. Emergency echocardiography revealed a hypoechoic thrombus in the right pulmonary artery, of 33/15 mm, mobile, starting from the origin of the artery, with a remaining free lumen of 15-20% and a hypoechoic thrombus in the right common femoral vein. We decided to administer Reteplase (two boluses of 10 U at 30 minutes), with immediate favorable evolution. The echocardiography repeated at 24 hours showed the persistent thrombus in the right pulmonary artery, but with smaller dimensions, and a free lumen of 60%.


Keywords: echocardiography, acute pulmonary embolism



Corresponding: Alina Giuca, MD, Ph D, Craiova Cardiology Center, str. Tabaci nr.1, email: alinagiuca@yahoo.com


DOI 10.12865/CHSJ.35.01.12 - Download PDF
current issue cover Download cover
Download contents

Journal archive