Rapid resolution of perfusion/ventilatory abnormalities in pulmonary air embolism.
A case of pulmonary air embolism is presented demonstrating a nearly total lung perfusion defect and a matching ventilation deficit. Despite advanced age, mild chronic obstructive airway disease, and congestive heart failure, the perfusion/ventilatory (V/Q) abnormalities produced by the air emboli resolved to near completion within three days. Rapid resolution of V/Q abnormalities due to air embolism is distinct when compared to the abnormalities seen with thromboembolism and the mechanism the matching V/Q defects is discussed.
D000368:Aged; D004618:Embolism, Air / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011652:Pulmonary Circulation; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D013668:Technetium Tc 99m Aggregated Albumin; D013997:Time Factors; D014692:Ventilation-Perfusion Ratio; D014980:Xenon Radioisotopes
D013668:Technetium Tc 99m Aggregated Albumin; D014980:Xenon Radioisotopes