scholarly journals A case of successful systemic thrombolysis in massive thromboembolia of pulmonary artery against the background of pregnancy

2017 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 95
Author(s):  
V. E. Tyukachev ◽  
D. A. Oks ◽  
A. A. Butylkin

<p>We present a clinical case of successful systemic thrombolysis in a pregnant patient with massive pulmonary embolism. A 29-year old patient at 28 weeks of pregnancy was hospitalized 2 hours after sudden suffocation in a presyncopal state and hypotension of 90/50 mm Hg. ECG showed the signs of overload of right heart chambers in the form of a typical S1-Q3-T3 (McGinn–White) syndrome, as well as the Kosuge sign. Echocardiography verified pulmonary 3 Grade hypertension (81 mm Hg), enlargement of the right atrium and ventricle, 3 Grade tricuspid regurgitation and paradoxical movement of the interventricular septum. Multislice computed tomography of the chest with contrast of the pulmonary artery revealed a defect of contrast in the right main pulmonary artery, occlusive clearance, and thrombotic mass, extending to the bifurcation of the left main pulmonary artery ("clot - rider"). Thrombolytic therapy was started with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (alteplase 10 mg bolus, then 90 mg for 2 hours). The patient was daily examined by a gynecologist. The viability of the fetus, monitoring of possible hemorrhagic complications of the placenta were evaluated. After thrombolysis, the patient began to note clinical improvement in the form of a regression of dyspnea. According to echocardioscopy control, the signs of overload of right heart chambers completely regressed. There were no complications both in the mother and in the fetus during the subsequent days until discharge. On 25.05.16 there was uncomplicated delivery vaginally of live full-term girl. Thus, when there is life-threatening massive pulmonary embolism, the application of General principles of diagnosis and treatment of this disease in patients with pregnancy is warranted. The carrying out of thrombolytic therapy in massive pulmonary embolism enables to reduce the manifestations of pulmonary hypertension, right ventricular failure, and to conduct births on time. Used intravenous thrombolytics have no teratogenic effect in the later stages of pregnancy.</p><p>Received 18 April 2017. Accepted 5 June 2017.</p><p><strong>Funding:</strong> The study did not have sponsorship.<br /><strong>Conflict of interest:</strong> The authors declare no conflict of interest.</p>


2018 ◽  
Vol 52 (3) ◽  
pp. 195-201 ◽  
Author(s):  
Prasoon P. Mohan ◽  
John J. Manov ◽  
Francisco Contreras ◽  
Michael E. Langston ◽  
Mehul H. Doshi ◽  
...  

Purpose: Catheter-directed thrombolysis (CDT) is a relatively new therapy for pulmonary embolism that achieves the superior clot resolution compared to systemic thrombolysis while avoiding the high bleeding risk intrinsically associated with that therapy. In order to examine the efficacy and safety of CDT, we conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients undergoing ultrasound-assisted CDT at our institution. Methods: The charts of 30 consecutive patients who underwent CDT as a treatment of pulmonary embolism at our institution were reviewed. Risk factors for bleeding during thrombolysis were noted. Indicators of the right heart strain on computed tomography and echocardiogram, as well as the degree of pulmonary vascular obstruction, were recorded before and after CDT. Thirty-day mortality and occurrence of bleeding events were recorded. Results: Nine (30%) patients had 3 or more minor contraindications to thrombolysis and 14 (47%) had major surgery in the month prior to CDT. Right ventricular systolic pressure and vascular obstruction decreased significantly after CDT. There was a significant decrease in the proportion of patients with right ventricular dilation or hypokinesis. Decrease in pulmonary vascular obstruction was associated with nadir of fibrinogen level. No patients experienced major or moderate bleeding attributed to CDT. Conclusion: Catheter-directed thrombolysis is an effective therapy in rapidly alleviating the right heart strain that is associated with increased mortality and long-term morbidity in patients with pulmonary embolism with minimal bleeding risk. Catheter-directed thrombolysis is a safe alternative to systemic thrombolysis in patients with risk factors for bleeding such as prior surgery. Future studies should examine the safety of CDT in patients with contraindications to systemic thrombolysis.



2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
C M Angelescu ◽  
I Hantulie ◽  
Z Galajda ◽  
I Mocanu ◽  
A T Paduraru ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction Right heart thrombi are rare, found in up to 20% of pulmonary emboli (PE), and associated with significantly increased mortality(1). A thrombus entrapped in a PFO is a rare form of right heart thromboembolism. Clinical Case A 73-year-old male patient who had dyspnea for 10 days, was transferred to our hospital for the surgical treatment of a cardiac tumor. We performed TTE which revealed a free floating, huge mass( measuring more than 8 cm long) in the right atrium, that protruded in the right ventricle, with high risk of embolization. Another smaller mass, attached to the interatrial septum. Severe right ventricular dysfunction and severe pulmonary hypertension were present. Contrast-enhanced computer tomography was performed, which revealed severe bilateral pulmonary artery emboli with complete occlusion of right pulmonary artery branch. Clinical and paraclinical data strongly suggested that the huge cardiac mass was a thrombus that originated from the lower extremity veins. TEE showed that the thrombus was entrapped through the PFO, with a smaller part in the left atrium and the biggest portion in the right atrium. The patient underwent an emergent on-pump surgical cardiac and right pulmonary artery embolectomy. The right atrium was opened and a huge intracardiac thrombus with a lengh of 14 cm extending from the coronary sinus, to PFO in the left atrium and also in the right ventricle was removed. The right branch of the pulmonary artery was opened and a large volume of clot- 9 cm long- was removed. The patient was removed from cardio-pulmonary by-pass (CPB) on high doses of norepinephrine and dobutamine and necessitated initiation of venous-arterial ECMO to support the severe right heart dysfunction. He was extubated after 10 days, with little improvement in the clinical status. Transthoracic echocardiography showed smaller right heart cavities), normal left ventricular function, but persistent severe RV dysfunction and severe pulmonary hypertension. In the thirteenth postoperative day, he installed cardio-respiratory arrest and he died. Discussion In this report we describe a case of a patient with a huge intracardiac thrombus, entrapped through a PFO, associated with massive pulmonary embolism, with late presentation in our hospital and severe refractory right heart dysfunction. He underwent successful embolectomy, which is a unique procedure in the treatment of an acute pulmonary embolism and entrapped thrombus in a PFO. Conclusion The treatment of choice for emboli-in-transit is controversial. In a recent review, surgical thromboembolectomy showed a trend toward improved survival and significantly reduced systemic emboli compared to anticoagulation. Thrombolysis in these patients may cause fragmentation of thrombus and systemic embolization, resulting in increased mortality. Management decisions should be made with multidisciplinary coordination and consideration of complicating factors such as PFO. Abstract P689 Figure. Extensive biatrial thrombus



2011 ◽  
Vol 2011 ◽  
pp. 1-4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ravi Badge ◽  
Mukesh Hemmady

Use of thrombolytic therapy in pulmonary embolism is restricted in cases of massive embolism. It achieves faster lysis of the thrombus than the conventional heparin therapy thus reducing the morbidity and mortality associated with PE. The compartment syndrome is a well-documented, potentially lethal complication of thrombolytic therapy and known to occur in the limbs involved for vascular lines or venepunctures. The compartment syndrome in a conscious and well-oriented patient is mainly diagnosed on clinical ground with its classical signs and symptoms like disproportionate pain, tense swollen limb and pain on passive stretch. However these findings may not be appropriately assessed in an unconscious patient and therefore the clinicians should have high index of suspicion in a patient with an acutely swollen tense limb. In such scenarios a prompt orthopaedic opinion should be considered. In this report, we present a case of acute compartment syndrome of the right forearm in a 78 years old male patient following repeated attempts to secure an arterial line for initiating the thrombolytic therapy for the management of massive pulmonary embolism. The patient underwent urgent surgical decompression of the forearm compartments and thus managed to save his limb.



2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gerard O’Connor ◽  
Gareth Fitzpatrick ◽  
Ayman El-Gammal ◽  
Peadar Gilligan

More than 70% of cardiac arrest cases are caused by acute myocardial infarction (AMI) or pulmonary embolism (PE). Although thrombolytic therapy is a recognised therapy for both AMI and PE, its indiscriminate use is not routinely recommended during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). We present a case describing the successful use of double dose thrombolysis during cardiac arrest caused by pulmonary embolism. Notwithstanding the relative lack of high-level evidence, this case suggests a scenario in which recombinant tissue Plasminogen Activator (rtPA) may be beneficial in cardiac arrest. In addition to the strong clinical suspicion of pulmonary embolism as the causative agent of the patient’s cardiac arrest, the extremely low end-tidal CO2suggested a massive PE. The absence of dilatation of the right heart on subxiphoid ultrasound argued against the diagnosis of PE, but not conclusively so. In the context of the circulatory collapse induced by cardiac arrest, this aspect was relegated in terms of importance. The second dose of rtPA utilised in this case resulted in return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) and did not result in haemorrhage or an adverse effect.



2020 ◽  
Vol 121 (1) ◽  
pp. 42-48
Author(s):  
Elisavet Kaitalidou ◽  
Dimitrios Karapiperis ◽  
Vasileios Makrakis ◽  
Maria Kipourou ◽  
Dimitrios Petroglou

A male patient with a history of immobilization due to motor weakness, was transferred to our emergency department after syncope during physiotherapy, with recorded hypotension. Transthoracic echocardiography showed severe dilatation of the right ventricle (RV), with apex hypercontractility and almost akinetic RV free wall. The above findings, in addition to the unexpected visualization of a large, free-floating, right atrial thrombus, a rare finding associated with high mortality, readily confirmed the clinical suspicion of acute pulmonary embolism (PE) causing circulatory collapse. Intravenous fibrinolysis and vasopressor therapy were successfully administered, and hemodynamic instability was soon alleviated.



2014 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 118-120
Author(s):  
Elisabeth Dovern ◽  
◽  
Marlene R. Mende ◽  
Niels J Elderson ◽  
Eelko Ronner ◽  
...  

Massive pulmonary embolism has a high mortality rate. Standard treatment includes systemic thrombolysis. If this fails, surgical embolectomy or a percutaneous catheter-guided approach is advised in current guidelines. However, these treatment options might not be available in many non-tertiary care hospitals. We describe a case of a 25-year old woman with cardiac arrest from massive pulmonary embolism. She was treated with thrombus fragmentation using a pulmonary artery catheter and intra-pulmonary thrombolysis after failure of systemic thrombolysis along with 90 minutes of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Neurological recovery was excellent and pulmonary pressure was normalized after one month. Besides catheter guided thrombus fragmentation and thrombolysis, we contribute the successful outcome to a combination of ultrasound-guided therapy, capnography-guided CPR, and “crew resource management” principles. Our case illustrates that a pulmonary artery catheter can be used successfully in a non-tertiary setting, to perform a percutaneous procedure during CPR and that full neurological recovery is possible after 90 minutes of CPR.



Author(s):  
Xenofon M Sakellariou ◽  
Andreas Efstathopoulos ◽  
Konstantinos V Stamatis ◽  
Dimitrios N Nikas ◽  
Theofilos M Kolettis

Right heart thrombi are detected in approximately 4% of patients with pulmonary embolism. The associated mortality is high, but the optimal strategy remains controversial. We report a case of a large mobile right heart thrombus, complicated by embolism of the right pulmonary artery, which was successfully treated with half-dose alteplase. We briefly review the literature and discuss the therapeutic options, focusing on the advantages of thrombolysis.



Circulation ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 111 (24) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yoshihiro Noji ◽  
Tohru Kojima ◽  
Takahiko Aoyama ◽  
Masato Yamaguchi ◽  
Tsutomu Araki ◽  
...  


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