Asymptomatic Pulmonary Embolus in a Patient With a Prior Heart Transplant.
| Title: | Asymptomatic Pulmonary Embolus in a Patient With a Prior Heart Transplant. |
|---|---|
| Authors: | Smartt A; Emergency Medicine, Mayo Clinic in Arizona, Phoenix, USA.; Alegre D; Emergency Medicine, Mayo Clinic in Arizona, Scottsdale, USA.; Kelley J; Medicine, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Phoenix, USA.; Kelley J; Emergency Medicine, Mayo Clinic in Arizona, Phoenix, USA.; Hand B; Emergency Medicine, Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine, Rochester, USA.; Rappaport D; Emergency Medicine, Mayo Clinic in Arizona, Phoenix, USA. |
| Source: | Cureus [Cureus] 2025 Jul 03; Vol. 17 (7), pp. e87224. Date of Electronic Publication: 2025 Jul 03 (Print Publication: 2025). |
| Publication Type: | Case Reports; Journal Article |
| Language: | English |
| Journal Info: | Publisher: Cureus, Inc Country of Publication: United States NLM ID: 101596737 Publication Model: eCollection Cited Medium: Print ISSN: 2168-8184 (Print) Linking ISSN: 21688184 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Cureus Subsets: PubMed not MEDLINE |
| Imprint Name(s): | Original Publication: Palo Alto, CA : Cureus, Inc. |
| Abstract: | Heart transplant patients have a significant risk for both deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE). This report presents a case of asymptomatic PE in a 63-year-old male patient with a history of orthotropic heart transplant nine years prior. The patient initially presented to the Emergency Department with acute right lower extremity pain and was found to have an extensive DVT involving the femoral vein and extending into the deep veins of the right calf. The patient was admitted to the transplant cardiology inpatient service, managed with a heparin infusion, and eventually transitioned to a direct oral anticoagulant with apixaban and discharged on hospital day 2 without further complications. This case highlights the importance of recognizing the heightened risk of venous thromboembolism in heart transplant patients at any point in their post-transplant course, despite the lack of classic symptoms of PE.; (Copyright © 2025, Smartt et al.) |
| Competing Interests: | Human subjects: Informed consent for treatment and open access publication was obtained or waived by all participants in this study. Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: All authors have declared that no financial support was received from any organization for the submitted work. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work. |
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| Contributed Indexing: | Keywords: emergency medicine physician; emergency medicine resuscitation; heart transplant; pulmonary embolus; systemic anticoagulation |
| Entry Date(s): | Date Created: 20250804 Latest Revision: 20250806 |
| Update Code: | 20260130 |
| PubMed Central ID: | PMC12317595 |
| DOI: | 10.7759/cureus.87224 |
| PMID: | 40755610 |
| Database: | MEDLINE |
Case Reports; Journal Article