A Rare Case of Transient Second-Degree Mobitz Type II Heart Block Complicating a Saddle Pulmonary Embolism.

massive pulmonary embolism mobitz type 2 av block pulmonary embolism right bundle branch block second degree heart block

Journal

Cureus
ISSN: 2168-8184
Titre abrégé: Cureus
Pays: United States
ID NLM: 101596737

Informations de publication

Date de publication:
Jan 2023
Historique:
accepted: 29 01 2023
entrez: 3 3 2023
pubmed: 4 3 2023
medline: 4 3 2023
Statut: epublish

Résumé

Presentations of pulmonary embolism (PE) are often associated with various cardiac arrhythmias and conduction abnormalities detected on electrocardiograms (EKG). We describe a 65-year-old female with no known history of heart disease or arrhythmias who presented with an acute onset of shortness of breath. Initial EKG showed right bundle branch block (RBBB), and first-degree atrioventricular (AV) block with subsequent development of second-degree Mobitz type II AV block. The patient's clinical appearance was highly suggestive of a massive pulmonary embolism with hemodynamic instability, and treatment with alteplase (tPA) was given, followed by heparinization. A CT pulmonary angiography confirmed the provisional diagnosis and revealed a large saddle embolus within the right and left main pulmonary arteries. Subsequent EKG showed resolution of the RBBB, first-degree AV block, and second-degree AV block. The patient improved clinically and was discharged to a subacute rehab facility with follow-up appointments. This case highlights that pulmonary embolism may present with many EKG changes, including RBBB, first-degree, second-degree, or complete heart block. Early recognition of PE and thrombolytic treatment can improve cardiac function and restore heart rhythms. Further evaluation for underlying conduction abnormalities can later be performed.

Identifiants

pubmed: 36865966
doi: 10.7759/cureus.34329
pmc: PMC9974006
doi:

Types de publication

Case Reports

Langues

eng

Pagination

e34329

Informations de copyright

Copyright © 2023, Ghallab et al.

Déclaration de conflit d'intérêts

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

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Auteurs

Muhammad Ghallab (M)

Internal Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA.

Lilian Tran (L)

Osteopathic Medicine, New York Institute of Technology, New York, USA.

Ibrahim Shahid (I)

Internal Medicine, The New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine, New York, USA.

Salma Abdelmoteleb (S)

Internal Medicine, Cairo University School of Medicine, Cairo, EGY.

Ibrahim Mohamed (I)

Internal Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, EGY.

Allison Foster (A)

Internal Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA.

Zakaria Alagha (Z)

Internal Medicine, Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, Huntington, USA.

Most Munira (M)

Cardilogy and Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA.
Cardiology, Queens Hospital Center, New York, USA.

Classifications MeSH