P236 Pinball game over

Abstract

Abstract Introduction Transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) is recommended for the diagnosis of acute pulmonary embolism (PTE) only in unstable patients, as it lacks specificity and sensitivity in stable ones. However, the rare documentation of intracavitary thrombus confirms the diagnosis and is associated with right ventricular dysfunction and high mortality, up to 42%. We report a 69year-old female patient with history of hypertension and obesity, presenting at the emergency department with hypothermia (35º C), cyanosis, tiredness and breathless to minimal efforts. At examination she had no measurable blood pressure, low peripheral perfusion, tachycardia, tachypneia and no other abnormalities. Arterial blood gases on 10L/min facemask showed an uncompensated metabolic acidosis with pCO2 27mmHg, HCO3 12mmol/L, hyperlactacidemia and hypoxemia (pO2 57mmHg). Lab results had leucocytosis and neutrophilia, CRP 30mg/L, serum creatinine 2.53mg/dL, K+ 5.1mmol/L and high sensitivity troponin I 305pg/ml. Chest X-ray showed enlargement of the right chambers with a nodular image next to the right hila. Although sepsis complicating acute pneumonia was firstly assumed and intravenous antibiotics and fluids were rapidly started; persistent hypoxemia with hypocapnia and tachycardia lead to the suspicion of acute PTE and workup proceeded in that direction. A TTE was primarily done because of the renal injury, showing a dilated right ventricle with flattening of the interventricular septum and a large, long, mobile mass in the right atria, protruding to the right ventricle, consistent with a thrombus. As the patient was no more hemodynamic unstable, prompt anticoagulation with low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) was initiated. Lately performed thoracic angio-CT with no contrast showed mild dilation of pulmonary artery and scintigraphy confirmed extensive perfusion defects of the left lung, preserving only posterobasal segment, with normal ventilation. Additional study revealed a deep venous thrombosis of left popliteal and right gemelar veins and a heterozygosity for two polymorphisms of methyltethahdrofolate reductase enzyme C677T and A1298C, clinically relevant in the context of patient’s hyperhomocysteinemia. The patient recovered initially, with compression stockings and anticoagulation. A follow-up TTE showed no remaining intracavitary mass and no signs of right side overload. In the day after, the patient evolved with sudden refractory hypotension and signs of hypoperfusion with cardiorespiratory collapse and death. Conclusion The incidence of intracardiac thrombus in the right chambers in a patient with PTE is low (3-23%) and probably underestimated by the absence of early echocardiography in all patients. This case highlights the lability of the clinical evolution of these patients, even tough disappearance of the right atrium thrombus, which is in line with their high early mortality. Abstract P236 Figure. Imaging study