“Saved by the Pacing Catheter”: Gigantic Right Atrial Thromboembolus as a Cause of Pulmonary Embolism

Abstract

Pulmonary embolism (PE) related to the presence of right heart thromboemboli entails a higher mortality rate than PE alone. Furthermore, right heart thromboemboli are often associated with deep venous thrombosis. The most effective therapy for haemodynamically stable patients remains unknown, although recent data suggest that thrombolytic therapy is associated with a better outcome. We describe the case of an 83-year-old woman, hospitalized with PE consequent to right heart thrombus-in-transit, in whom investigation revealed a concomitant deep venous thrombosis. She required thrombolysis, given the high mortality risk that is traditionally associated with this clinical entity.

Keywords

• Pulmonary embolism, right heart thromboembolus, deep venous thrombosis, thrombolysis