Use of transesophageal echocardiography to detect unsuspected massive pulmonary emboli.
This report describes three patients in whom unsuspected large central pulmonary emboli were identified by transesophageal echocardiography. We discuss the utility and limitations of transesophageal echocardiography in diagnosing pulmonary emboli and its potential beneficial impact on the management of patients in the intensive care unit, particularly those with unexplained hypotension.
Division of Cardiology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, and Veterans Administration Medical Center, Ohio 45267-0542, USA.
M E
ME
Ritchie
B K
BK
Srivastava
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017548:Echocardiography, Transesophageal / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*