title: Pulmonary embolism confirmed by transoesophageal echocardiography.
abstract: A 60-year-old patient suffered a pulmonary embolism following the application of an Esmarch and pneumatic tourniquet before arthroscopy of the knee. The diagnosis was suspected because of sudden hypotension, ECG changes, a decrease in end-expiratory carbon dioxide concentration and oxygen desaturation as indicated by pulse oximetry. Before performing a sternotomy and cardiopulmonary bypass for removal of pulmonary artery clots, the diagnosis was confirmed by the demonstration of severe right ventricular strain using transoesophageal echocardiography.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesia, University Hospitals Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, U.Z. Gasthuisberg, Belgium.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sermeus
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Van Hemelrijck
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Vandommele
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Van Aken
mesh_terms: D001182:Arthroscopy; D004452:Echocardiography; D006801:Humans; D007431:Intraoperative Complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D007718:Knee Injuries / Q000150:complications; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology; D014111:Tourniquets / Q000009:adverse effects