[Characteristics of acute, hemodynamically stable pulmonary embolism presenting as a syncope]

(Charakterystyka ostrej, hemodynamicznie stabilnej zatorowosci plucnej ujawniajacej sie omdleniem.)

Full Abstract

Syncope (S) occurs in approximately 10% patients with acute pulmonary embolism (APE) and is commonly ascribed to the massive, hemodynamically instable APE. The aim of the study was to assess the occurrence and significance of S revealing hemodynamically stable APE. We found syncope in 6 of 21 (29%) consecutive patients (16 females, 5 males; age from 46-87 years, mean age of 71 years) who were diagnosed with APE and in whom other reasons for S were excluded. All patients were treated with anticoagulation. They all survived hospitalization and no APE recurrences were found during in-hospital period. Patients with APE-S compared to patients with APE and without S had smaller baseline RVED (21.2 +/- 2 vs. 27.3 +/- 5.6, p = 0.01), however both groups did not differ statistically in baseline vital signs, angiographic, hemodynamic, other echocardiographic parameters as well as in the results of laboratory findings. It is concluded, that S signals hemodynamically stable APE more frequently than is quoted. APE-S patients could not be clearly discriminate from APE patients without S on the basis of the parameters studied and S did not impact the course of APE during in- hospital period.

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Author information

Author/s: Blaszczyk, Daniel (D); Lewczuk, Jerzy (J); Piszko, Piotr (P); Ludwik, Bartosz (B); Konieczny, Andrzej (A); Nowak, Malgorzata (M); Stopyra-Poczatek, Marzena (M); Wrabec, Krzysztof (K);

Affiliation: Z Oddzialu Kardiologii Wojewódzkiego Szpitala Specjalistycznego we Wroclawiu.

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: English Abstract; Journal Article

Journal: Wiadomosci lekarskie (Warsaw, Poland : 1960) (Wiad Lek), published in Poland. (Language: pol)

Reference: 2006-; vol 59 (issue 9-10) : pp 607-11

Dates: Created 2007/03/06; Completed 2007/05/03;

PMID: 17338114, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 12/26/2008)

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Acute Disease
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Anticoagulants - therapeutic use
Female
Humans

Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Pulmonary Artery - radiography; ultrasonography
Pulmonary Embolism - complications; diagnosis
Syncope - etiology

Associated Chemicals: Anticoagulants (0)

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