Alteplase for Massive Pulmonary Embolism after Complicated Pericardiocentesis
  • Ricardo Cleto Marinho
    Internal Medicine Department, Oporto University Hospital Center, Oporto, Portugal
  • José Luis Martins
    Cardiology Department, Baixo Vouga Hospital Center, Aveiro, Portugal
  • Susana Costa
    Cardiology Department, Coimbra University Hospital Center, Coimbra, Portugal
  • Rui Baptista
    Cardiology Department, Coimbra University Hospital Center, Coimbra, Portugal
  • Lino Gonçalves
    Cardiology Department, Coimbra University Hospital Center, Coimbra, Portugal
  • Fátima Franco
    Cardiology Department, Coimbra University Hospital Center, Coimbra, Portugal

Keywords

Pulmonary embolism, alteplase, pericardiocentesis, pericardial effusion, thrombolytic therapy

Abstract

Background: The occurrence of a high-risk pulmonary embolism (PE) within 48 hours of a complicated pericardiocentesis to remove a haemorrhagic pericardial effusion, is an uncommon clinical challenge.
Case summary: The authors report the case of a 75-year-old woman who presented with signs of imminent cardiac tamponade due to recurring idiopathic pericardial effusion. The patient underwent pericardiocentesis that was complicated by the loss of 1.5 litres of blood. Within 48 hours, the patient had collapsed with clear signs of obstructive shock. This was a life-threating situation so alteplase was administered after cardiac tamponade and hypertensive pneumothorax had been excluded. CT chest angiography later confirmed bilateral PE. The patient achieved haemodynamic stability less than an hour after receiving the alteplase. However, due to the high risk of bleeding, the medical team suspended the thrombolysis protocol and switched to unfractionated heparin within the hour. The cause of the PE was not identified despite extensive study, but after 1 year of follow-up the patient remained asymptomatic.
Discussion: Despite the presence of a contraindication, the use of thrombolytic therapy in obstructive shock after exclusion of hypertensive pneumothorax can be life-saving, and low-dose thrombolytic therapy may be a valid option in such cases.

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    Published: 2019-07-15
    Issue: Vol 6 No 7 (view)

    How to cite:
    1.
    Marinho RC, Martins JL, Costa S, Baptista R, Gonçalves L, Franco F. Alteplase for Massive Pulmonary Embolism after Complicated Pericardiocentesis. EJCRIM 2019;6 doi:10.12890/2019_001150.

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