Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 21, 2026
07:44
A Porcine Model of Acute Autologous Pulmonary Embolism
Published on: September 6, 2024
976
Caution for acute submassive pulmonary embolism with syncope as initial symptom: a case report
Sheng-Yu Wang1, Hui Chen1, Li-Gai Di1
1Pulmonary and Critical Care Department, Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Medical University, Xi'an 710077, China.
Journal of Thoracic Disease
|November 4, 2014
Summary
Syncope as the sole symptom of acute submassive pulmonary embolism (PE) is rare. Prompt diagnosis and thrombolytic therapy with urokinase led to a satisfactory prognosis in a previously healthy patient.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pulmonology
- Radiology
Background:
- Pulmonary embolism (PE) diagnosis can be delayed due to nonspecific clinical presentation.
- Syncope as the sole initial symptom of acute submassive PE in an otherwise healthy individual is exceptionally uncommon.
Observation:
- A 62-year-old previously healthy female presented with transient syncope as her only initial symptom.
- Computed tomography revealed embolism in the right main pulmonary and left inferior pulmonary arteries.
Findings:
- The patient was diagnosed with acute submassive pulmonary embolism.
- Successful treatment was achieved using systemic urokinase thrombolytic therapy.
Implications:
- Highlights the importance of considering PE in cases of unexplained syncope, even without typical risk factors.
- Emphasizes that early diagnosis and prompt thrombolytic treatment are crucial for favorable outcomes in submassive PE.
