[Non-invasive management of a serious acute pulmonary embolism].
Prompt diagnosis of a large pulmonary embolus is essential in order to initiate appropriate treatment early. We report a case of a large pulmonary embolus in which management was aided solely by noninvasive investigations. Transthoracic echocardiogram showed elevated right heart pressures which together with the patient symptoms suggested a major pulmonary embolus. Spiral computed tomography of the chest confirmed the diagnosis. The source of the embolus was shown by echodoppler. This case illustrates that a diagnosis of a major pulmonary embolus can be made using noninvasive techniques. Pulmonary angiography should be reserved for those rare cases in which diagnostic uncertainty remains rather than being used as a routine examination prior to consideration of therapeutic decision.
Cracowski
J L
JL
Laboratoire de pharmacologie, PCEBM, Faculté de Médecine, La Tronche.
Bosson
J L
JL
Cracowski
C
C
Lamblin
N
N
Cellarier
G
G
Dussarat
G V
GV
D000208:Acute Disease; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004452:Echocardiography; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed