Aims: Massive pulmonary embolism is a life threatening pathology with a high mortality over 20%. Thrombolysis is one of therapy ways that leads to a lower rate of death. The aim of the study is to show interest, limits and complications of thrombolytic therapy in massive pulmonary embolism.
Patients and methods: This descriptive study presents 8 cases of pulmonary embolism admitted to the Cardiology Division of Grand-Yoff from March 2003 to March 2006. All cases confirmed by Tomodensitometry (TDM) with massive pulmonary embolism were included in this study.
Results: We used thrombolytic only in 8 cases of massive pulmonary embolism about 32. In-hospital prevalence was 25%. The average age was 49.8 ± 19.1 (from 15 to 72) and sex-ratio 0.33. Seven patients had a moderate clinical probability Well's score and one of them 1 had a high clinical probability. The clinical signs were: cardio-vascular collapse (7 cases), syncope (1) and cardio-vascular arrest. The electrocardiogram showed a sub-epicardial ischemia (4 cases), a right bundle branch block and a Mac Ginn White's sign. Two patients had a right-basal opacification at the chest X ray. The echocardiography found 5 cases of right ventricular dilatation, 1 case of paradoxal septum, 1 case of multiple thrombi in the right ventricule. The TDM confirmed diagnosis with 3 cases of bilateral pulmonary embolism, 1 case of pulmonary aneurysm. The treatment used thrombolytic : 1,500,000 IU of streptokinase, sympathomimetic drugs, anticoagulation with heparins and vitamin K antagonists.