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Case Reports
. 2023 Feb 10;23(1):76.
doi: 10.1186/s12872-023-03096-z.

Be aware of non-specific presentation of pulmonary embolism: a case report

Hang Li  1 , Qinghai Dai  1 , Lingfeng Shu  1 , Dongyi Yang  2 , Tao Wu  3
Affiliations
Case Reports

Be aware of non-specific presentation of pulmonary embolism: a case report

Hang Li et al. BMC Cardiovasc Disord. .

Abstract

Background: The early diagnosis of non-specific presentation of pulmonary embolism (PE) is difficult because the symptoms are non-specific and varied.

Case presentation: A 69-year-old female patient had syncope accompanied by gait disturbance, without obvious inducement. The patient was initially suspected to have cerebral infarction, but the symptoms did not improve and myocardial markers increased after two days of symptomatic treatment for myocardial infarction. Hence, PE was suspected and computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) examination confirmed the diagnosis. CTPA showed multiple emboli in pulmonary artery and its branches, so high-risk PE was diagnosed. Intravenous thrombolysis was administered, and pulmonary CTA showed a significant reduction of emboli in pulmonary artery and its left and right branches.

Conclusion: This case report highlights the importance of improving the clinical awareness about non-specific presentation of PE and avoiding misdiagnosis or missed diagnosis.

Keywords: Case report; Non-specific; Pulmonary embolism; Submassive; syncope.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
A Multiple emboli were seen in the main pulmonary artery and its left and right branches. B Pulmonary emboli had disappeared
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
A Bleeding was seen in the right occipital lobe. B The volume of bleeding in the right occipital lobe was significantly reduced
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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