Diagnosis of proximal pulmonary embolism by transthoracic echocardiography

J Am Soc Echocardiogr. 2008 Sep;21(9):1079. doi: 10.1016/j.echo.2007.10.025. Epub 2008 Jan 9.

Abstract

To date, few cases giving detailed visual descriptions of a thrombus in the pulmonary arteries or its branches in transthoracic echocardiography have been reported. We report the case of a 67-year-old man who was admitted to a hospital emergency department with a thrombus in the right pulmonary artery diagnosed by transthoracic echocardiography. The specificity of echocardiography in pulmonary embolism varies between 80% and 90% according to the series. The direct visualization of a thrombus is sometimes possible, permitting a faster diagnosis in patients with compromised hemodynamic status.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Echocardiography / methods*
  • Humans
  • Image Enhancement / methods*
  • Male
  • Pulmonary Artery / diagnostic imaging*
  • Pulmonary Embolism / diagnostic imaging*