Plasmodium Falciparum Malaria and Concomitant High-Risk Pulmonary Thromboembolism: Case Report

Abstract

The authors describe a case of a patient admitted due to a previous condition of osteomyoarthralgia, headache, fever, malaise, which worsened with sudden onset dyspnea, chest pain, syncope, the plasmodium test was positive, the EKG performed at the Emergency department presented the classic pattern of acute cor pulmonale (S1Q3 T3 ). The echocardiogram demonstrated changes compatible with pulmonary thromboembolism. Chest X-ray showed an increase in the cardiothoracic index and dilation of the right pulmonary artery (Fleischner ‘s sign). Computed angiotomography (angioCT) of the chest confirmed the diagnosis, showing the presence of thrombi in the main, segmental and subsegmental branches. The patient underwent fibrinolytic therapy and progressed favorably.