Pulmonary embolism after lung resection: diagnosis and treatment.

Kameyama, Kotaro; Huang, Cheng-long; Liu, Dage; Okamoto, Taku; Hayashi, Eiichi; Yamamoto, Yasumichi; Yokomise, Hiroyasu · Ann Thorac Surg · 2003

case_report · Level V

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Abstract

Pulmonary embolism after lung resection (PEALR) has a high mortality rate, and it is one of the most severe complications after lung resection. Early diagnosis and treatment are essential for PEALR. Here we present 3 cases of severe PEALR. In these cases, transthoracic Doppler echocardiography was useful for confirming the diagnosis of PEALR. Thrombolysis with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (r-tPA) was used to treat the embolism, and these patients were subsequently discharged. Thus echocardiography may become a primary procedure to confirm the diagnosis of severe PEALR, and thrombolysis with second-generation r-tPA may be the preferred choice for treatment.

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