Mediastinal Hematoma as a Rare Life-Threatening Complication of Thrombolysis for Pulmonary Embolism Detected by Transthoracic Echocardiography

摘要

class="kwd-title">Keywords: Thrombolysis, Pulmonary embolism, Mediastinal hematoma, Echocardiography class="head no_bottom_margin" id="sec1title">IntroductionAcute pulmonary embolism (PE) is a life-threatening illness associated with high mortality in patients with massive PE and shock. Echocardiography can readily identify the hemodynamic consequences of severe PE and help guide management. Thrombolytic therapy is recommended for this group of patients, particularly when other alternatives (radiologic or surgical thrombectomy) are not readily available. Although thrombolysis is highly efficacious, it can cause major complications, such as intracranial and nonintracranial hemorrhage.We present a case in which transthoracic echocardiography was used to diagnose posterior mediastinal hematoma causing compression of the left atrium, following administration of thrombolytic therapy for massive PE.