Detection of Acute Pulmonary Embolism by Bedside Ultrasound in a Patient Presenting in PEA Arrest : A Case Report

Abstract EN

Optimal management of the critically ill patient in shock requires rapid identification of its etiology.

We describe a successful application of an emergency physician performed bedside ultrasound in a patient presenting with shock and subsequent cardiac arrest.

Pulmonary embolus was diagnosed using bedside echocardiogram and confirmed with CTA of the thorax.

Further validation and real-time implementation of this low-cost modality could facilitate the decision to implement thrombolytics for unstable patients with massive pulmonary embolism who cannot undergo formal radiographic evaluation.