P ulmonary tumor embolization from renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is associated with severe cardiopulmonary morbidity and high perioperative mortality rates. In one study, 1 the direct extension of RCC into the inferior vena cava (IVC) was observed in 22 of 295 patients (7%). Massive pulmonary embolism (PE) can occur during surgical treatment for RCC, especially when the tumor extends into the IVC.2-6 Advantages of using transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) during RCC excision include evaluating the cephalic extension of tumor into the IVC, monitoring the tumor during surgical mobilization, and evaluating cardiac function.
7,8We report a case in which continuous TEE monitoring prevented a patient's death from PE, when RCC extended into the IVC.
Case ReportIn January 2012, a 71-year-old woman presented with severe right-sided abdominal pain. The patient's medical history included hypertension, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, osteoarthritis, peptic ulcer disease, glaucoma, aortic insufficiency, mitral regurgitation, and hyperlipidemia. Her surgical history was notable for a C-section and treatment of a perforated peptic ulcer. Her medications included amlodipine, digoxin, hydrochlorothiazide, lisinopril, omeprazole, pravastatin, spironolactone, and zolpidem. She had no known drug allergies. Until recently, she had smoked one pack of cigarettes per day for approximately 15 years. Magnetic resonance images of the patient's abdomen revealed a 9.5 × 6-cm mass in the right kidney with a 2-to 3-cm extension into the infrahepatic portion of the IVC (Figs. 1 and 2). Contrast computed tomograms (CT) of the chest revealed substantial mediastinal lymphadenopathy and multiple small lung nodules. Results of a bone scan were negative. We decided to perform radical nephrectomy and resection of the intracaval mass. The urology team informed the patient that, at worst, surgery would be palliative rather than curative and might extend her life only for months.The patient's preoperative blood pressure (BP) was 120/65 mmHg, and her heart rate was 80 beats/min. She was given 2 mg of midazolam, and general anesthesia was induced. The patient was monitored by means of electrocardiography (ECG), pulse oximetry, a radial arterial line, a central venous pressure line, end-tidal carbon dioxide measurement, and a rectal temperature probe. An iE33 xMATRIX Echocardiography System probe (Koninklijke Philips N.V.; Best, The Netherlands) was placed. Initially,