Open AccessAcute massive (pericardial effusive) pulmonary thromboembolism‐pulmonary embolectomy revisited
Author(s) -
Stang J. M.,
Vanaman M. E.,
Magorien R. D.,
Wooley C. F.,
Ruff P. D.,
Mcenany M. T.
Publication year - 1983
Publication title -
clinical cardiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.263
H-Index - 72
eISSN - 1932-8737
pISSN - 0160-9289
DOI - 10.1002/clc.4960061207
Subject(s) - medicine , pericardial effusion , cardiology , pulmonary artery , tamponade , hypoxemia , cardiac tamponade , pulmonary embolism , heart failure , surgery
The most recent patient in a 13‐year experience with 14 patients suffering massive pulmonary thromboembolism requiring pulmonary thromboembolectomy is the focus of this report. This 40‐year‐old woman not only survived life‐threatening acute hypoxemia and right heart failure, but was also found to have developed a unique transudative 700 cc pericardial effusion. Pulmonary artery pressure was 90/30 (mean 50 mmHg), accompanied by 17 mm right ventricular alternans. Systemic alternans and tamponade physiology were absent. This unusual natural model for acute right heart failure illustrates a novel mechanism for pericardial effusion physiology.