Successful systemic thrombolysis in a patient with massive pulmonary thromboembolism after prolonged cardio pulmonary and cerebral resuscitation. Case report
Massive pulmonary thromboembolism is a condition with high morbidity and mortality if not treated early. A case of a young man with a history of knee trauma that was admitted to the emergency department with sudden dyspnea and syncope is discussed. During the clinical evaluation the patient experienced 5 episodes of cardiac arrest that required prolonged cardiopulmonary-cerebral resuscitation. The diagnosis of massive pulmonary thromboembolism was confirmed by echocardiography and thoracic CT angiography. Although prolonged cardiopulmonary-cerebral resuscitation is a relative contraindication for systemic thrombolysis, the patient experienced remarkable clinical improvement with no sequelae upon hospital discharge.