Detection of Acute Pulmonary Embolism by Bedside Ultrasound in a Patient Presenting in PEA Arrest: A Case Report. (31st May 2012)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chung-Esaki, Hangyul; Knight, Roneesha; Noble, Jeanne; Wang, Ralph; Coralic, Zlatan
• Other Names: Lin J.-N. Academic Editor.; Zhang X. Academic Editor.
• Is Part Of: Case reports in emergency medicine. Volume 2012(2012)
• Publication Date: 2012-05-31
• Subjects: Emergency medicine -- Periodicals; Emergency Medicine; Emergency medicine; Periodicals; Periodicals; Case Reports; Fulltext; Internet Resources; Periodicals; 616.025
• DOI: 10.1155/2012/794019
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2090-648X

Abstract

Abstract : Optimal management of the critically ill patient in shock requires rapid identification of its etiology. We describe a successful application of an emergency physician performed bedside ultrasound in a patient presenting with shock and subsequent cardiac arrest. Pulmonary embolus was diagnosed using bedside echocardiogram and confirmed with CTA of the thorax. Further validation and real-time implementation of this low-cost modality could facilitate the decision to implement thrombolytics for unstable patients with massive pulmonary embolism who cannot undergo formal radiographic evaluation.