McConnell's Sign Is Not Specific for Pulmonary Embolism: Case Report and Review of the Literature

Document Type

Article

Publication Title

The Journal of emergency medicine

Abstract

BACKGROUND: McConnell's sign (right ventricular [RV] free wall hypokinesis with apical sparing on echocardiography) is often described as very specific for the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism (PE). We present the case of a patient who, despite manifesting a classic McConnell's sign, was not found to have a PE. CASE REPORT: A 58-year-old woman presented to the emergency department with a cough, dyspnea, and leg swelling. A bedside focused cardiac ultrasound revealed hypokinesis of the RV free wall, with apical sparing, in the apical four-chamber view. A computed tomography angiogram for PE was negative. Ultrasounds of both lower extremities were negative for deep venous thrombosis, and a D-dimer was only marginally elevated. The patient was ultimately diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and systemic lupus erythematosus. WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: Emergency physicians should be aware that McConnell's sign is not completely specific for acute right heart strain from PE.

First Page

301

Last Page

4

DOI

10.1016/j.jemermed.2014.12.089

Publication Date

9-1-2015

Identifier

25986329 (pubmed); 10.1016/j.jemermed.2014.12.089 (doi); S0736-4679(15)00138-9 (pii)

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