Cardiac Arrest Caused by Multiple Recurrent Pulmonary Embolism

Abstract

Pulmonary embolism is a common condition with a high mortality. We describe a previously healthy 68-year-old male who suffered three pulmonary embolisms during a short period of time, including two embolisms while on anticoagulant treatment. This paper illustrates three important points. (1) The importance of optimal anticoagulant treatment in the prevention of pulmonary embolism reoccurrence. (2) The benefit of immediate accessibility to echocardiography in the handling of haemodynamically unstable patients with an unknown underlying cause. (3) Thrombolytic treatment should always be considered and may be life-saving in patients with cardiac arrest suspected to be caused by pulmonary embolism.

Successful Alteplase Bolus Administration for a Presumed Massive Pulmonary Embolism During Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation

“…There is currently no published experience with the new targetspecific oral anticoagulants and vitamin K antagonists, whereas limited data exist with prophylactic and therapeutic doses of low-molecular-weight heparin. 18,19,21,22,32,46 Alteplase is the only FDA-approved tissue plasminogen activator for PE and is the most commonly used and investigated agent. 10 The FDA-approved regimen is an infusion of 100 mg over 2 hours.…”