Emergency bedside ultrasound diagnosis of sub-massive acute pulmonary embolism: a case of the McConnell sign

Michael M Liao,Jonathan Theoret,John L Kendall,Elisa M Dannemiller,Catherine Erickson,Geoffrey E Sanz

doi:10.1007/s13089-010-0028-1

Abstract

Abstract Introduction This is a case of a healthy 61-year-old man with acute onset of dyspnea and atrial flutter where bedside emergency ultrasound was used to identify a classic echocardiographic finding called the “McConnell sign”. The clinical presentation and this echocardiographic finding led to the presumptive diagnosis of acute pulmonary embolism. Materials and methods This is a case report and brief review of the literature. Conclusion Bedside echocardiography has important diagnostic value in the evaluation of suspected acute pulmonary embolism. Findings, such as the McConnell sign are relatively quick and easy to identify at the bedside and could provide valuable information to rapidly guide management decisions when further research defines its role in emergent bedside ultrasound.

Highlights

This is a case of a healthy 61-year-old man with acute onset of dyspnea and atrial flutter where bedside emergency ultrasound was used to identify a classic echocardiographic finding called the ‘‘McConnell sign’’
The clinical presentation and this echocardiographic finding led to the presumptive diagnosis of acute pulmonary embolism
Bedside echocardiography has important diagnostic value in the evaluation of suspected acute pulmonary embolism. Findings, such as the McConnell sign are relatively quick and easy to identify at the bedside and could provide valuable information to rapidly guide management decisions when further research defines its role in emergent bedside ultrasound