Introduction: Computed Tomography Angiography used to be an effective alternative to catheter angiography in diagnosis of suspected cases of pulmonary embolism.We report a case which demontrates pulmonary embolism detected by transesophageal echocardiography.
Background: Pulmonary embolism carries a high mortality.Among the techniques for the diagnosis of acute or chronic pulmonary embolism, transesophageal echocardiography is the tool of choice in many emergency situations due to visualizing the central pulmonary artery thromboemboli.
Methods: A 58- year –old man, whose chief complain was mild shortness of breath for 1 month, presented with enlarged heart shadow on chest X-ray and idiopathic severe pulmonary hypertension on transthoracic echocardiography.
Results: Transesophageal echocardiography was performed. There was no abnormal shunt. Aquired mild pulmonary stenosis caused by big thombus which filled in pulmonary artery trunk was detected incidentally.Pulmonary embolism was confirmed by Computed Tomography. The uncomplicated thrombus removal was performed in University of Medicine and Pharmacy hospital.
Conclusions: Transesophageal echocardiography can be used in the diagnosis of suspected large acute pulmonary embolism and in chronic pulmonary hypertension associated with recurrent pulmonary thrombi