title: Peripheral arterial embolism arising from pulmonary adenocarcinoma.
abstract: Bronchogenic carcinoma is a rare source of peripheral arterial embolism. We present the case of a 28-year-old female nonsmoker with an adenocarcinoma of the left main bronchus involving the pulmonary veins. While the patient was hospitalized awaiting operation, she presented embolization in her legs; embolectomy and fasciotomy were necessary to treat compartment syndrome. Echocardiography disclosed floating tumoral masses in the left atrium. Seven days later, an operation was performed with cardiopulmonary bypass to remove the tumor masses from the atrial lumen; pulmonary veins were sutured from within the atrium, and pneumonectomy was performed. Fulminant infection of the lower limbs developed that led to gangrene and multiple organ failure, and the patient died 8 days after the operation.
authors.affiliation: Department of General and Thoracic Surgery, Virgen Macarena University Hospital, Seville, Spain. jloscert@us.es
authors.forename: Jesus
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Loscertales
authors.forename: Miguel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Congregado
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Arenas
authors.forename: Andres
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Arroyo
authors.forename: Juan Carlos
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Giron
authors.forename: Javier
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ayarra
authors.forename: Rafael
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Jimenez-Merchan
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000150:complications*; D000328:Adult; D002283:Carcinoma, Bronchogenic / Q000150:complications*; D004617:Embolism / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006325:Heart Atria; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg / Q000098:blood supply; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000150:complications*; D009360:Neoplastic Cells, Circulating