Successful pulmonary thromboendarterectomy in a patient with subacute pulmonary thromboembolism.
Pulmonary thromboembolism can lead to serious hemodynamic instability or even death. Treatment for subacute pulmonary thromboembolism is not standardized. We report a case of subacute pulmonary thromboembolism successfully treated by pulmonary thromboendarterectomy. A 63-year-old woman without underlying disease was admitted due to progressive shortness of breath with episodic exacerbation for more than 5 months. Hypoxemia was noted on admission. Contrast-enhanced spiral computed tomography of the chest revealed multiple thrombi in the central pulmonary arteries. Pulmonary thromboendarterectomy was performed 5 days after admission. The surgical specimens showed acute, subacute, and chronic stages of thrombi. Her clinical condition improved markedly after operation. She was discharged and had recovered fully at follow-up 6 months after discharge. This case suggests that pulmonary thromboendarterectomy may be beneficial for patients with subacute pulmonary thromboembolism.
Department of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, Tainan, Taiwan.
Ju-Yi
JY
Chen
Ting-Hsing
TH
Chao
Li-Jen
LJ
Lin
Chung-Dann
CD
Kan
Jyh-Hong
JH
Chen
D004691:Endarterectomy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011651:Pulmonary Artery / Q000601:surgery; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome