Pulmonary embolism presenting as seizures.
Two patients with massive pulmonary embolism (PE) presented with generalized seizures. Pathophysiologic abnormalities that explain this clinical syndrome include respiratory acidosis, hypoxemia, and cerebral hypoperfusion due to decreased cardiac output. PE should be considered in the differential diagnosis of new-onset and otherwise unexplained seizures.
Marine
J E
JE
Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
Goldhaber
S Z
SZ
D000142:Acidosis, Respiratory / Q000209:etiology; D000328:Adult; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000209:etiology; D002303:Cardiac Output, Low / Q000209:etiology; D002560:Cerebrovascular Circulation; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004829:Epilepsy, Generalized / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000860:Hypoxia / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D015912:Thrombolytic Therapy