11.01.2020 - By Zack Olson, MD and Michael Estephan, MD
CAUTION: THESE NOTES CONTAIN SPOILERS!!!
Case Introduction
You are working a shift at Clerkship General when a 51 year old female is brought in after a syncopal episode.
Initial Vitals
* Temp 100.2* HR 132* RR 28* BP 105/69* O2 85%
Critical Actions
* Give supplemental Oxygen* Diagnose Pulmonary Embolism* Administer Heparin* Assess contraindications for tPA* Administer tPA
Final Diagnosis
Massive Pulmonary Embolism
Tips and Tricks
* Reassess vital signs after interventions* Obtain collateral history from EMS and family* Make sure your diagnosis fits the patient’s symptoms! (EG don’t diagnose pneumonia based on a consolidation on CXR if the patient doesn’t clinically have pneumonia)
Further Reading
Submassive and Massive PE (EMCrit)