Massive pulmonary embolism and ulcerative colitis.
We describe the case of a patient with ulcerative colitis who suffered a pulmonary embolism that caused shock. Despite the high risk of haemorrhagic complications given the underlying disease, thrombolytic treatment was administered with a good result. Deep vein thrombosis in the lower limbs and pulmonary embolism are the most common thromboembolic phenomena in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. The inflammatory and thrombotic processes are connected, creating a vicious circle. Inflammatory bowel disease predisposes to thromboembolic episodes, while thrombosis, if not the initial cause, is at least implicated in maintaining the inflammatory process in ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease.
Cardiology Department, KAT General Hospital, Athens, Greece. kafkasncard@yahoo.gr
Nikolaos V
NV
Kafkas
Christos C
CC
Deboneras
Dimitrios K
DK
Babalis
D000328:Adult; D001706:Biopsy; D003093:Colitis, Ulcerative / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D003113:Colonoscopy; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004452:Echocardiography; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D015912:Thrombolytic Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents