title: Cardiorespiratory symptoms during pregnancy--not always pulmonary embolism.
abstract: We describe a case of sudden onset severe cardiorespiratory compromise in a parturient at 36 weeks' gestation. She received treatment for infection, pulmonary oedema and pulmonary embolism before a diagnosis of aortic dissection was made. Successful repair was undertaken following caesarean section. We discuss the difficulties of diagnosis of cardiorespiratory symptoms and the potential hazards of instituting therapy before a definitive diagnosis is reached. The value of a multidisciplinary team approach and the use of portable echocardiography in the investigation of both pulmonary embolism and cardiac disease are emphasised.
authors.affiliation: Queen Charlotte's & Chelsea Hospital, London, UK.
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Evans
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Rajappan
authors.forename: G M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Stocks
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001021:Aortic Valve / Q000601:surgery; D001022:Aortic Valve Insufficiency / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000860:Hypoxia / Q000209:etiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011249:Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000175:diagnosis*; D014463:Ultrasonography