 |
 |

Treatment of Massive Pulmonary Embolism
 |
 |
| Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text and any section headings. |
|
 |
 |
Kürkciyan et al1 have written
an interesting and very informative article demonstrating the high mortality
associated with cardiac arrest caused by pulmonary embolism (PE). They believe
that a mechanism involving obstruction of pulmonary circulation and liberation
of vasoconstrictive mediators increases right ventricular afterload and leads
to cardiogenic shock. Indeed, the development of right-sided heart failure
and circulatory shock as a result of a massive increase in pulmonary vascular
resistance is a medical emergency and requires prompt management. The therapy
of this condition may include surgery or the administration of thrombolytics.
However, there is recent evidence supporting the use of inhaled nitric oxide
(iNO) in the treatment of massive PE. This selective pulmonary vasodilator
may attenuate the effects of humoral mediators, such as endothelin,2, 3 which are released during PE.
In fact, iNO significantly lowered pulmonary artery pressure and increased
the cardiac output in cases of severe PE.4, 5
Also, my colleagues and . . . [Full Text of this Article]
|