# Pulmonary Embolism Presenting as ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction: A Report of Two Cases

## TL;DR

Two patients with heart attack symptoms were found to have blood clots in the lungs, diagnosed using ultrasound and confirmed with CT scans.

## Contribution

Highlights the use of point-of-care ultrasonography to detect pulmonary embolism mimicking heart attacks.

## Key findings

- Two patients with EKG signs of heart attack were diagnosed with large pulmonary emboli via ultrasound.
- Computed tomography angiography confirmed the presence of pulmonary embolism in both cases.
- Aspiration thrombectomy successfully treated the patients, resolving cardiac dysfunction.

## Abstract

Pulmonary embolism (PE) is often underrecognized due to its ability to mimic other conditions; however, ultrasound can provide diagnostic clues to aid in the diagnosis of PE. We describe two patients who presented with symptoms suggestive of cardiac ischemia and had electrocardiograms (EKGs) indicative of anteroseptal myocardial infarction. In both cases, cardiac point-of-care ultrasonography showed signs of large pulmonary emboli, which were then confirmed on computed tomography angiography of the chest. Both patients underwent successful aspiration thrombectomy with rapid resolution of cardiac dysfunction. Point-of-care ultrasonography should be used as an adjunct in patients presenting with anterior ischemia on EKG to evaluate for signs of PE.