Pulmonary embolism in a patient of tetralogy of Fallot: a diagnostic challenge

Am J Emerg Med. 2015 Jun;33(6):865.e5-6. doi: 10.1016/j.ajem.2014.12.061. Epub 2014 Dec 31.

Abstract

A 46-year-old male patient with tetralogy of Fallot presented to the emergency department with progressive dyspnea for 3 days. The dyspnea was refractory to treatment for tet spells. Pulmonary embolism (PE) was subsequently diagnosed by computed tomography, and the patient was successfully treated with heparinization. Chronic hypoxemia-induced secondary polycythemia and the consequent increase in blood hyperviscosity predisposed this patient to PE. This case reminds us of the similarity in clinical presentation between PE and tet spells.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Anticoagulants / therapeutic use
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pulmonary Embolism / diagnostic imaging
  • Pulmonary Embolism / drug therapy
  • Pulmonary Embolism / etiology*
  • Tetralogy of Fallot / complications*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Substances

  • Anticoagulants