[Pulmonary embolism complicated with stroke: analysis of 5 cases]

Though pulmonary embolism (PE) has been thought to be rare, the incidence seems to be increasing recently. During the past 10 years the authors have encountered 5 cases of PE among stroke patients. There were 2 males and 3 females, aged 51 to 71 years (mean age; 63 years). The mean time between admission and onset of PE was 23 days. As to the primary disease to be treated, 5 patients had subarachnoid hemorrhage and one had intracerebral hemorrhage. Generally, PE tends to be overlooked or misdiagnosed because of the fact that stroke patients are often in a state of unconsciousness. In our series, only one patient complained of dyspnea and the other 4 patients due to unexplained sudden tachycardia, tachypnea and hypoxemia were suspected to have PE. Deep venous thrombosis known as the risk factor leading to PE was presented in 3 patients. Especially in one patient, femoral venous catheterization was considered as a risk factor possibly leading to deep venous thrombosis. Regarding the diagnosis of PE, the roles of electrocardiogram and of chest x-ray film were small. In 3 patients, the elevation of the diaphragm was the only abnormal finding on chest X-ray. On the other hand, the lung scintigram with 99mTc-MAA was a useful method for definitive diagnosis of PE. In 3 patients, filling defects were demonstrated on the lung perfusion scintigrams. Consequently, we emphasize that PE must be kept in mind when tachycardia, tachypnea and hypoxemia appear suddenly. Prompt diagnosis and treatment are required.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)