Management of Pulmonary Embolism and Pericardial Effusion

Abstract

Pulmonary embolism is a serious complication occurring in different cancers. Patients who have cancer may have complications like brain metastasis or pericardial effusion, which may change the therapeutic management of pulmonary embolism. In this article, a patient is presented with lung adenocarcinoma resulting in pericardial effusion. He was admitted with pulmonary embolism and atrial flutter, which made his management difficult.

Simultaneous presentation of pulmonary embolism and pericardial effusion as complications of cancer: a case report

“…We performed the literature review and found 11 previously documented cases of pericardial effusion and pulmonary embolism as concomitant cancer complications from 2000 to 2022 [13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23].…”

“…Seven patients (64%) received treatment with anticoagulants. Four of seven patients survived (the survival rate is 57%), one died after pericardiocentesis (14%), one died after 3 months (14%), and one outcome is not clear (14%) [14][15][16][18][19][20]23] (Table 1). From those four patients who did not receive treatment with anticoagulants: one of them survived (25%), one died after 6 weeks (25%), and two outcomes are not clear (50%) [13,17,21,22].…”

“…The patient's general condition improved and she was discharged. However, due to the active cancer nadroparine should be continued for a III not specified survived [16] IV heparin died after pericardiocentesis [18] V heparin, and after 5 days low-molecular-weight-heparin enoxaparin sodium survived [19] VI heparin, and after novel oral anticoagulants survived [20] VII low-molecular-weight-heparin died after 3 months [23] prolonged time. Also patient will continue treatment with torasemide, omeprazole, and levothyroxine.…”