E. Marion

PaCO2/ETCO2 gradient: early indicator of thrombolysis efficacy in a massive pulmonary embolism

End tidal CO2 measurement may be helpful in detecting the efficacy of thrombolysis after a massive pulmonary embolism. We report the case of a 76-year-old man with a massive pulmonary embolism, who required early intubation and mechanical ventilation. Thrombolysis with rtpA (total dosage: 60 mg) was initiated. During this procedure, clinical data, arterial blood gases and end-tidal CO, with a capnograph were recorded. Before thrombolysis the P(a-ET)CO2 gradient was raised to 25 mmHg. During thrombolysis, the clinical data improved and the P(a-ET) gradient fell to 14 mmHg. We postulate that the P(a-ET)CO2 gradient seems to be a reasonable indicator of efficacy of thrombolysis in this setting. However. the gradient did not return to normal values(45 mmHg). The possible reasons for this may be that during mechanical ventilation there was a large ventilation- perfusion ratio and the cardiac output may have still reduced. With these limitations, we conclude that the P(a-ET)CO2 gradient should be evaluated as an indicator of pulmonary reperfusion in massive pulmonary embolism

Emergencies and somatization.

The article presents the clinical profile of 72 patients with somatization seen by a psychiatric team at the request of somaticians in a emergency service in St Luc hospital (Brussels-Belgium). These include 37.5% of mood disorders, 11% of psychotic disorders and 20% of serious anxiety disorders. The psychiatric antecedents of these patients are very poor. Only the combined intervention of the somatician and the psychiatrist can improve the compliance and the level of psychiatric care which is very low.