Management of intraoperative acute pulmonary embolism in a patient with subarachnoid haemorrhage undergoing femoral fracture repair

Abstract

Acute pulmonary embolism (APE) during surgery can be life-threatening. We herein report a case of a 56-year-old man with subarachnoid haemorrhage who underwent surgical repair of a femoral fracture. During surgery with the patient under general anaesthesia, his oxygen saturation and end-tidal carbon dioxide decreased dramatically. An emergency transoesophageal echocardiogram demonstrated mobile echogenic densities in the right pulmonary artery and enlargement of the right atrium, and these findings were suggestive of APE. Considering the patient’s history of subarachnoid haemorrhage, anticoagulation with heparin or thrombolysis therapy for APE was contraindicated. We recommended inferior vena cava filter placement to prevent recurrence of the APE. Unfortunately, the patient and his family members refused the filter implantation, and the patient was discharged.