scholarly journals Image in medicine: Cement pulmonary embolism

Author(s):  
Asarisi F ◽  
◽  
Heme N ◽  
Fourrier E ◽  
Ferrari E ◽  
...  

A 65-year-old woman was treated for vertebroplasty (cement injection). 24 hours after the procedure, she complains chest pain. A CT scan was performed which revealed on the same image section the presence of highly radiopaque material in a right basal segmental artery the density of which is strictly identical to that of the cement of the treated vertebra (yellow arrows). This cement pulmonary embolism canot be disolved by an anticoagulant treatment.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lea Imeen van der Wal

Abstract Background: Pulmonary embolism is a frequent complication in patients with Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The pathogenesis of COVID-associated activation of coagulation is not fully understood and appears to be different from disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) in patients with sepsis. As the pathophysiology of coagulation in COVID-patients is unknown, it is uncertain whether unfractionated heparin (UFH), or anticoagulation in general, is effective in the attenuation of the procoagulant state. The aim of this study is to determine the effects of intravenous unfractionated heparin on clinical, radiological and laboratory parameters in patients with COVID-19 and acute pulmonary embolism (PE). Methods: We conducted an observational cohort study in 19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) patients with COVID-19 and computed tomography (CT) scanning proven pulmonary embolism. According to the local protocol, repeated CT-scanning was indicated if no pulmonary improvement was present after a minimum of 7 days following start of anticoagulant treatment. We defined three endpoints: Laboratory markers (d-dimer at day 0 vs day 2), clinical success (resolution of PE at follow up CT scan or discharged alive from ICU) and radiological response (Qanadli index at follow up CT scan vs CT scan at diagnosis PE). Statistical tests used for analysis were a T-test and Wilcoxon Signed Rank test.Results: Unfractionated heparin resulted in clinical success in at least 14 out of 19 patients. Pulmonary emboli were completely resolved on the follow up computed tomography scans in 5 out of 6 patients and partly resolved in the 6th patient. D-dimer levels decreased on average from 7074 ng/mL to 4347 ng/mL (p=0.001) within 48 hours after start of heparin. Conclusion: In this observational study, we showed a rapid clinical, laboratory and radiological improvement in patients with COVID-19 and proven pulmonary embolism. Standard anticoagulant treatment was effective in this setting, supporting current guideline recommendations.


2018 ◽  
Vol 31 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 79-79
Author(s):  
Sergio Szachnowicz ◽  
Rubens Sallum ◽  
Hilton Libanori ◽  
Edno Bianchi ◽  
Andre Duarte ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Ectopic pancreas is an extremely rare genetic malformation in the esophagus. It is defined by pancreatic tissue outside the pancreas and usually presents as a subepithelial lesion in the esophagus. To date, there are fewer than 15 patients reported in the literature. Methods We present 2 cases of pancreatitis in the esophageal ectopic pancreas with different presentation, treatment and development, as well as a review of the literature. Results 1. A 48-year-old woman admitted to the ER with acute dysphagia and chest pain. There were elevation of amylasemia and lipasemia, as well as presence of a tumor in the Gastroesophageal junction with hypersignal at the CT scan, suggesting acute inflammation. An echoendoscopy with biopsy, diagnosed ectopic pancreas in the distal esophagus. The patient was then submitted to laparoscopic resection of subepithelial tumor of the cardia, recovered by a fundoplication. The specimen confirmed pancreatic tissue with acute inflammation. 2. A 33-year-old woman with a history of episodic chest pain confused with GERD, nausea and vomiting pain episodes accompanied by elevated serum amylase and lipase levels. She was submitted to an ERCP without alterations to investigate the clinical complains. After some crisis she was hospitalized with a septic condition, where a CT scan revealed a cystic lesion in the lower mediastinum in the esophageal wall. Endoscopy was performed, showing a drainage orifice with purulent secretion in the cardia. She was treated with antibiotics and fasting. She had two more crises and was referred to our specialized service. Thoracoscopic subtotal esophagectomy with cervical anastomosis was performed for treatment of a suspected esophageal duplication cyst with recurrent infections. The specimen showed the presence of organized pancreatic tissue characterizing ectopic pancreas complicated with chronic pancreatitis. Conclusion The ectopic esophageal pancreas can be present as a differential of these lesions. The second case, was first admitted at a secondary care unit and the diagnosis was delayed, probably leading to a worse development and necessity of a esophagectomy. In the literature, there is only one description of 1 case of recurrent pancreatitis. We have shown that complications can range from dysphagia to abscess, requiring more invasive treatment. Disclosure All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.


2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 281-285
Author(s):  
Dragan Panic ◽  
Andreja Todorovic ◽  
Milica Stanojevic ◽  
Violeta Iric Cupic

Abstract Current diagnostic workup of patients with suspected acute pulmonary embolism (PE) usually starts with the assessment of clinical pretest probability, using clinical prediction rules and plasma D-dimer measurement. Although an accurate diagnosis of acute pulmonary embolism (PE) in patients is thus of crucial importance, the diagnostic management of suspected PE is still challenging. A 60-year-old man with chest pain and expectoration of blood was admitted to the Department of Cardiology, General Hospital in Cuprija, Serbia. After physical examination and laboratory analyses, the diagnosis of Right side pleuropne monia and acute pulmonary embolism was established. Clinically, patient was hemodynamically stable, auscultative slightly weaker respiratory sound right basal, without pretibial edema. Laboratory: C-reactive protein (CRP) 132.9 mg/L, Leukocytes (Le) 18.9x109/L, Erythrocytes (Er) 3.23x1012/L, Haemoglobin (Hgb) 113 g/L, Platelets (Plt) 79x109/L, D-dimer 35.2. On the third day after admission, D-dimer was increased and platelet count was decreased (Plt up to 62x109/L). According to Wells’ rules, score was 2.5 (without symptoms on admission), a normal clinical finding with clinical manifestation of hemoptysis and chest pain, which represents the intermediate level of clinical probability of PE. After the recidive of PE, Wells’ score was 6.5. In summary, this study suggests that Wells’ score, based on a patient’s risk for pulmonary embolism, is a valuable guidance for decision-making in combination with knowledge and experience of clinicians. Clinicians should use validated clinical prediction rules to estimate pretest probability in patients in whom acute PE is being consiered.


BMJ ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 330 (7489) ◽  
pp. 452-453 ◽  
Author(s):  
Grégoire Le Gal ◽  
Ariane Testuz ◽  
Marc Righini ◽  
Henri Bounameaux ◽  
Arnaud Perrier

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (8) ◽  
pp. 2237-2244
Author(s):  
Parth Patel ◽  
Payal Patel ◽  
Meha Bhatt ◽  
Cody Braun ◽  
Housne Begum ◽  
...  

Abstract Prompt evaluation and therapeutic intervention of suspected pulmonary embolism (PE) are of paramount importance for improvement in outcomes. We systematically reviewed outcomes in patients with suspected PE, including mortality, incidence of recurrent PE, major bleeding, intracranial hemorrhage, and postthrombotic sequelae. We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, MEDLINE, and Embase for eligible studies, reference lists of relevant reviews, registered trials, and relevant conference proceedings. We included 22 studies with 15 865 patients. Among patients who were diagnosed with PE and discharged with anticoagulation, 3-month follow-up revealed that all-cause mortality was 5.69% (91/1599; 95% confidence interval [CI], 4.56-6.83), mortality from PE was 1.19% (19/1597; 95% CI, 0.66-1.72), recurrent venous thromboembolism (VTE) occurred in 1.38% (22/1597; 95% CI: 0.81-1.95), and major bleeding occurred in 0.90% (2/221%; 95% CI, 0-2.15). In patients with a low pretest probability (PTP) and negative D-dimer, 3-month follow-up revealed mortality from PE was 0% (0/808) and incidence of VTE was 0.37% (4/1094; 95% CI: 0.007-0.72). In patients with intermediate PTP and negative D-dimer, 3-month follow-up revealed that mortality from PE was 0% (0/2747) and incidence of VTE was 0.46% (14/3015; 95% CI: 0.22-0.71). In patients with high PTP and negative computed tomography (CT) scan, 3-month follow-up revealed mortality from PE was 0% (0/651) and incidence of VTE was 0.84% (11/1302; 95% CI: 0.35-1.34). We further summarize outcomes evaluated by various diagnostic tests and diagnostic pathways (ie, D-dimer followed by CT scan).


2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 348-366
Author(s):  
G. G. Taradin ◽  
G. A. Ignatenko ◽  
N. T. Vatutin ◽  
I. V. Kanisheva

The presented review concerns contemporary views on specific aspects of anticoagulant and thrombolytic treatment of venous thromboembolism and mostly of acute pulmonary embolism. Modern classifications of patients with acute pulmonary embolism, based on early mortality risk and severity of thromboembolic event, are reproduced. The importance of multidisciplinary approach to the management of patients with pulmonary embolism with the assistance of cardiologist, intensive care specialist, pulmonologist, thoracic and cardiovascular surgeon, aimed at the management of pulmonary embolism at all stages: from clinical suspicion to the selection and performing of any medical intervention, is emphasized. Anticoagulant treatment with the demonstration of results of major trials, devoted to efficacy and safety evaluation of anticoagulants, is highlighted in details. Moreover, characteristics, basic dosage and dosage scheme of direct (new) oral anticoagulants, including apixaban, rivaroxaban, dabigatran, edoxaban and betrixaban are described in the article. In particular, the management of patients with bleeding complications of anticoagulant treatment and its application in cancer patients, who often have venous thromboembolism, is described. Additionally, modern approaches to systemic thrombolysis with intravenous streptokinase, urokinase and tissue plasminogen activators are presented in this review. The indications, contraindications, results of clinical trials devoted to various regimens of thrombolytic therapy, including treatment of pulmonary embolism by lower doses of fibrinolytic agents, are described.


Author(s):  
Jeff M Smit ◽  
Mohammed El Mahdiui ◽  
Michiel A de Graaf ◽  
Arthur JHA Scholte ◽  
Lucia Kroft ◽  
...  

Patients presenting with chronic and acute chest pain constitute a common and important diagnostic challenge. This has increased interest in using computerized tomography for non-invasive visualization of coronary artery disease in patients presenting with acute chest pain to the emergency department, particularly the subset of patients who are suspected of having an acute coronary syndrome, but without typical electrocardiographic changes and with normal troponin levels at presentation. As a result of rapid developments in coronary computerized tomography angiography technology, high diagnostic accuracies for excluding coronary artery disease can be obtained. It has been shown that these patients can be discharged safely. The accuracy for detecting a significant coronary artery stenosis is also high, but the presence of coronary artery atherosclerosis or stenosis does not imply necessarily that the cause of the chest pain is related to coronary artery disease. Moreover, non-invasive detection of coronary artery disease by computerized tomography has been shown to be related with an increased use of subsequent invasive coronary angiography and revascularization, and further studies are needed to define which patients benefit from invasive evaluation following coronary computerized tomography angiography. Conversely, implementation of coronary computerized tomography angiography can significantly reduce the length of hospital stay, with a significant cost reduction. Additionally, computerized tomography is an excellent modality in patients whose symptoms suggest other causes of acute chest pain such as aortic aneurysm, aortic dissection, or pulmonary embolism. Furthermore, acquisition of the coronary arteries, thoracic aorta, and pulmonary arteries in a single computerized tomography examination is feasible, allowing ‘triple rule-out’ (exclusion of aortic dissection, pulmonary embolism, and coronary artery disease). Finally, other applications, such as evaluation of coronary artery plaque composition, myocardial function and perfusion, and non-invasive assessment of fractional flow reserve from coronary computerized tomography angiography, are currently being developed and may also become valuable in the setting of chronic and acute chest pain in the future.


BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. e040151
Author(s):  
Christine Baumgartner ◽  
Frederikus A Klok ◽  
Marc Carrier ◽  
Andreas Limacher ◽  
Jeanne Moor ◽  
...  

IntroductionThe clinical significance of subsegmental pulmonary embolism (SSPE) is currently unclear. Although growing evidence from observational studies suggests that withholding anticoagulant treatment may be a safe option in selected patients with isolated SSPE, most patients with this condition receive anticoagulant treatment, which is associated with a 90-day risk of recurrent venous thromboembolism (VTE) of 0.8% and major bleeding of up to 5%. Given the ongoing controversy concerning the risk-benefit ratio of anticoagulation for isolated SSPE and the lack of evidence from randomised-controlled studies, the aim of this clinical trial is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of clinical surveillance without anticoagulation in low-risk patients with isolated SSPE.Methods and analysisSAFE-SSPE (Surveillance vs. Anticoagulation For low-risk patiEnts with isolated SubSegmental Pulmonary Embolism, a multicentre randomised placebo-controlled non-inferiority trial) is an international, multicentre, placebo-controlled, double-blind, parallel-group non-inferiority trial conducted in Switzerland, the Netherlands and Canada. Low-risk patients with isolated SSPE are randomised to receive clinical surveillance with either placebo (no anticoagulation) or anticoagulant treatment with rivaroxaban. All patients undergo bilateral whole-leg compression ultrasonography to exclude concomitant deep vein thrombosis before enrolment. Patients are followed for 90 days. The primary outcome is symptomatic recurrent VTE (efficacy). The secondary outcomes include clinically significant bleeding and all-cause mortality (safety). The ancillary outcomes are health-related quality of life, functional status and medical resource utilisation.Ethics and disseminationThe local ethics committees in Switzerland have approved this protocol. Submission to the Ethical Committees in the Netherlands and Canada is underway. The results of this trial will be published in a peer-reviewed journal.Trial registration numberNCT04263038.


2018 ◽  
pp. bcr-2018-226318 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suleman Aktaa ◽  
Kavi Fatania ◽  
Claire Gains ◽  
Hazel White

Permanent pacemaker (PPM) implantation is an increasingly common procedure with complication rate estimated between 3% and 6%. Cardiac perforation by pacemaker lead(s) is rare, but a previous study has shown that it is probably an underdiagnosed complication. We are presenting a case of a patient who presented 5 days after PPM insertion with new-onset pleuritic chest pain. She had a normal chest X-ray (CXR), and acceptable pacing checks. However, a CT scan of the chest showed pneumopericardium and pneumothorax secondary to atrial lead perforation. The pain only settled by replacing the atrial lead. A repeat chest CT scan a few months later showed complete resolution of the pneumopericardium and pneumothorax. We believe that cardiac perforation can be easily missed if associated with normal CXR and acceptable pacing parameters. Unexplained chest pain following PPM insertion might be the only clue for such complication, although it might not always be present.


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