[Pulmonary thromboembolism accompanied by abnormal plasminogen].
A 38-year-old man was admitted to our hospital because of sudden chest pain and bloody sputum. Lung perfusion scintigraphy disclosed segmental defects in both lungs. An enhanced thin-section computed tomographic scan of the chest showed a low-density area in the right main pulmonary artery. These findings yielded a diagnosis of pulmonary thromboembolism. Serum plasminogen activity was low, not only in the patient but in his elder brother and daughter. Gene analysis revealed a point mutation at exon 15 of the plasminogen gene, suggesting abnormal plasminogen. Abnormal plasminogen is more prevalent in Japan than in the USA or Europe, and is usually asymptomatic. Thromboembolism in patients with abnormal plasminogen is very rare. Further studies are needed to elucidate the relationship between plasminogen abnormalities and pulmonary thromboembolism.
Shinozawa
Y
Y
Second Department of Internal Medicine, Toho University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
Sim
J J
JJ
Hoshino
M
M
Shimizu
K
K
Nakayama
H
H
Hosaka
K
K
Uchida
K
K
Nagaizumi
K
K
Fukutake
K
K
D000328:Adult; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006579:Heterozygote; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010958:Plasminogen / Q000172:deficiency* / Q000235:genetics; D017354:Point Mutation; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy
D000925:Anticoagulants; D010958:Plasminogen