Pulmonary Embolism in the Pediatric Emergency Department

Abstract

Although pulmonary embolism in children is rare, it is important for the pediatric emergency medicine provider to be aware of its presentation and emergent management. We present a case of bilateral pulmonary embolisms in an adolescent patient to illustrate the benefits from the timely diagnosis of right ventricular dysfunction by point-of-care echocardiography performed by emergency medicine physicians. Ultrasonographic techniques and the emergent management of pulmonary embolism are reviewed.