title: Transthoracic echocardiographic demonstration of massive pulmonary thrombus caused by protein C deficiency.
abstract: Few cases of pulmonary embolism detected by transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) have been reported. We present a case of a patient affected by pulmonary embolism caused by protein C deficiency. Transthoracic echocardiography showed a thrombus in transit (ie, visualization of a thrombus within the pulmonary artery). A hypercoagulable state caused by deficiency of protein C is a rare cause of pulmonary thromboembolism. Our experience demonstrates a massive pulmonary thrombus resulting from such a deficiency. Transthoracic echocardiography should be considered as the first diagnostic method for patients with suspected pulmonary embolism.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: H K
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Jeon
authors.forename: H J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Youn
authors.forename: K D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Yoo
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: H Y
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: H Y
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Rhim
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Chae
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: K B
authors.initials: KB
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Hong
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004452:Echocardiography / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020151:Protein C Deficiency / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013909:Thorax / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging