Article Text
Emergency casebook
Paradoxical embolus illustrating speed of action of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator in massive pulmonary embolism
Abstract
A case of a patient who presented with massive pulmonary embolism (PE) requiring thrombolysis with alteplase is reported. The subsequent presence of a patent foramen ovale and paradoxical embolism clinically demonstrated the speed of action of the recombinant tissue plasminogen activator. The advantage of this class of medication when considering the treatment options for a PE in an acute setting is highlighted.
- ECHO, echocardiography
- PE, pulmonary embolism
- PFO, patent foramen ovale