Volumetric capnography as a noninvasive diagnostic procedure in acute pulmonary thromboembolism.
Pulmonary thromboembolism is a common condition. Its diagnosis usually requires pulmonary scintigraphy, computed angiotomography, pulmonary arteriography and, in order to rule out other diagnoses, the measurement of D-dimer levels. Due to the fact that these diagnostic methods are not available in most Brazilian hospitals, the validation of other diagnostic techniques is of fundamental importance. We describe a case of a woman with chronic pulmonary hypertension who experienced a pulmonary thromboembolism event. Pulmonary scintigraphy, computed angiotomography and pulmonary arteriography were used in the diagnosis. The D-dimer test result was positive. Volumetric capnography was performed at admission and after treatment. The values obtained were compared with the imaging test results.
Surgery Department, State University at Campinas - School of Medical Sciences, Campinas, Brazil. marcosmm@fcm.unicamp.br
Marcos Mello
MM
Moreira
Renato Giuseppe Giovanni
RG
Terzi
Mônica Corso
MC
Pereira
Tiago de Araújo Guerra
Tde A
Grangeia
Ilma Aparecida
IA
Paschoal
D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D019296:Capnography / Q000379:methods*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D005338:Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D006976:Hypertension, Pulmonary / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011651:Pulmonary Artery; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000469:parasitology; D012126:Respiratory Dead Space; D012555:Schistosomiasis mansoni / Q000150:complications
D005338:Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products; C036309:fibrin fragment D