Lethal pulmonary thromboembolism misdiagnosed as pneumonia: A case report.
10.4097/kjae.2009.56.2.211
- Author:
Yoo Sung JEONG
1
;
Yang Ja KANG
Author Information
1. Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Hanil General Hospital, Seoul, Korea. maria-85@hanmail.net
- Publication Type:Case Report
- Keywords:
Bronchospasm;
Deep vein thrombosis;
Pulmonary thromboembolism
- MeSH:
Anesthesia, General;
Autopsy;
Bronchial Spasm;
Cause of Death;
Female;
Hemoptysis;
Humans;
Middle Aged;
Monitoring, Physiologic;
Pneumonia;
Pulmonary Embolism;
Tibial Fractures;
Venous Thrombosis;
Vital Signs
- From:Korean Journal of Anesthesiology
2009;56(2):211-216
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
Although pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) is not rare, unfortunately for anesthesiologists, the signs and symptoms of PTE are unreliable and nonspecific. PTE is a potentially lethal condition without an accurate diagnosis and prompt treatment. We report a case of PTE misdiagnosed as simple pneumonia. A 60-year-old female, not receiving prophylactic anticoagulant therapy, underwent elective surgery for a left proximal tibial fracture. During induction of general anesthesia, a temporary bronchospasm occurred and subsided quickly. Because vital signs were stable and patient monitoring was normal, we did not identify a serious hypercarbic condition. After surgery, a massive hemoptysis occurred and the patient expired due to cardiopulmonary collapse. According to autopsy, the cause of death was a PTE originating in deep vein thrombosis.
