[A case of successful tissue plasminogen activator in young-onset pulmonary embolism]

A 16-year-old boy was admitted to the hospital because of chest pain, dyspnea, and syncope. Physical examination revealed blood pressure of 100/60 mmHg, regular pulse of 120 beats/min, and respiratory rate of 30/min. Pulsation of the right ventricle was palpable in the left margin of the parasternum. An increased second sound was audible in the second inter-costal lesion of the left subclavicle mid-line. Results of blood tests were close to normal limits, except for slight leukocytosis and elevation of the LDH value. Analysis of artery blood gas showed hypoxia. The chest x-ray film showed cardiac enlargement. The value of systolic pulmonary artery pressure was estimated to be 47 mmHg by the cardiac echogram, which revealed enlargement of the right ventricle. Pulmonary embolism was suspected from the above findings. The value of pulmonary artery pressure was found to be 49/19 mmHg by Swan-Ganz catheter. Angiography of the pulmonary artery revealed filling defects of right in the right pulmonary artery. Tissue plasminogen activator was injected directly to the right pulmonary artery. After that, chest pain and dyspnea were relieved. In addition, arterial oxygen improved and pulmonary artery pressure decreased. At the 6th day after admission, the defect in the pulmonary artery angiography disappeared. Deep vein thrombosis of both femoral veins was recognized as a cause of pulmonary embolism by angiography of the femoral vein.