The Great Masquerader: Pulmonary Embolism

Abstract

Acute pulmonary embolism (PE) and Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) are considered to be potentially life threatening. Prompt identification of etiology of symptoms can significantly reduce morbidity and mortality. Both the have signs and symptoms that are common to either presentations such as dyspnea, chest discomfort and hemodynamic instability. Electrocardiography (ECG) has been traditionally used to differentiate in the initial stages of work between ACS and PE. More recently T wave inversion has been identified as possible sign of underlying PE. We would like to report a 49-year-old gentleman who presented with chest pain and was initially diagnosed and treated ACS. In this case presentation we would like to present the clinical findings and briefly discuss the salient difference between the two presentations.