Supraventricular tachycardia as a presenting sign of pulmonary embolism in paraplegia. Case report and review.
Pulmonary embolism is a major complication after spinal cord injury and difficult to diagnose in any patient. Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) is an unusual presentation for pulmonary embolism (PE). This article documents the records of a 60-year-old patient who was undergoing comprehensive rehabilitation after traumatic spinal cord injury and multitrauma. His treatment programme was interrupted by a PE with SVT as the only presenting symptom. This article outlines the clinical approach to the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism. A high index of suspicion of PE should always be kept in mind when SVT occurs in a spinal cord injured patient.
Zwecker
M
M
Department of Neurological Rehabilitation, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel.
Heim
M
M
Azaria
M
M
Ohry
A
A
D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010264:Paraplegia / Q000150:complications*; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000150:complications; D013617:Tachycardia, Supraventricular / Q000209:etiology*