Massive Pulmonary Embolism

Massive Pulmonary Embolism

To the Editor: The Image in Clinical Medicine by van der Wouw and Bax (Feb. 6 issue) 1 is a striking example of massive, fatal pulmonary embolism following deep venous thrombosis. Echocardiographic imaging nicely demonstrates the thrombus in transit in the right heart chambers and the pulmonary arte...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The New England journal of medicine Vol. 337; no. 1; pp. 53 - 54
Main Authors: Cavero, Miguel A, Silva, Lorenzo, Goodman, Neville W, van der Wouw, Poll A, Bax, Matthijs, Brinkhuis, Mariel
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: United States Massachusetts Medical Society 03-07-1997
Subjects:
Aged
Contraindications
Female
Humans
Pulmonary Embolism - therapy
Thrombolytic Therapy
Thrombophlebitis - complications
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Summary:To the Editor: The Image in Clinical Medicine by van der Wouw and Bax (Feb. 6 issue) 1 is a striking example of massive, fatal pulmonary embolism following deep venous thrombosis. Echocardiographic imaging nicely demonstrates the thrombus in transit in the right heart chambers and the pulmonary arteries. However, we disagree with the therapeutic strategy pursued by the treating physicians. This elderly woman was recovering from a recent cerebral infarction when pulmonary embolism occurred. We believe that administering thrombolytic therapy with tissue plasminogen activator in this setting is dangerous, since it greatly increases the risk of cerebral hemorrhage. Stroke in the . . .
ISSN:0028-4793
1533-4406
DOI:10.1056/NEJM199707033370114