Transthoracic echocardiographic demonstration of massive pulmonary thrombus caused by protein C deficiency.
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.
Jeon
H K
HK
Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.
Youn
H J
HJ
Yoo
K D
KD
Park
J W
JW
Kim
H Y
HY
Rhim
H Y
HY
Chae
J S
JS
Kim
J H
JH
Choi
K B
KB
Hong
S J
SJ
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