Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a life-threatening condition resulting from the obstruction of pulmonary arteries by blood clots, usually originating from deep veins. Symptoms of PE might vary from nothing to sudden death. Clinically, individuals may present very differently. When a diagnosis of PE is suspected, any possible life-saving intervention must be implemented because survival from cardiac arrest following PE is often quite low. Although there are not many randomized controlled trials that provide guidelines for treating suspected PE in cardiac arrest victims, the few published case reports and other minor studies suggest that thrombolysis and other therapies are associated with good outcomes. We report a patient with PE who presented in cardiac arrest with its clinical, electrographic, and radiologic findings, along with the appropriate therapy chosen based on hemodynamic stability. It is important to intervene early to prevent severe complications and improve the patient\'s outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Although rare, paradoxical embolism sometimes occurs with patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). This study presents a case of PDA-associated paradoxical embolism with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) and pulmonary embolism (PE) following thoracoscopic surgery.
METHODS: A 65-year-old woman developed acute-onset aphasia and right hemiparesis on the third day following thoracoscopic resection for a right lung tumor. Brain magnetic resonance imaging revealed multiple infarcts, and lower extremity venous Doppler ultrasound revealed deep vein thrombosis. The patient subsequently developed dyspnea, tachycardia, and hypoxemia. PE was confirmed by percutaneous transfemoral venous selective pulmonary angiography, which meanwhile demonstrated a PDA lesion. The patient, after receiving catheter-directed thrombolysis and inferior vena cava filter placement, improved in both neurological and respiratory status.
CONCLUSIONS: For an uncommon but potentially fatal case with PDA-induced paradoxical embolism causing AIS and PE, early recognition and treatment are vital. Further studies are warranted to determine the optimal management and prognosis of patients with PDA-related embolic events.

This report describes a male in his late 20s who presented with a 2-month history of recurrent haemoptysis and chest pain. A chronic infection, such as tuberculosis, was suspected. He had undergone surgical resection of an intrapericardial hydatid cyst in the past. His blood investigations showed peripheral eosinophilia, and his chest X-ray showed a cystic oval lesion in the left upper zone. A CT pulmonary angiogram revealed filling defects in the bilateral segmental and subsegmental arteries with a cystic lesion in the left upper lobe. Further workup, including bronchoalveolar lavage culture and MRI of the thorax, confirmed the diagnosis of a hydatid cyst of pulmonary echinococcosis. This case illustrates the presentation of multisystemic echinococcosis in a young male with no other risk factors, initially treated with surgical resection and antihelminthic therapy. The disease later recurred, which required prolonged medications, which brought the patient into remission.

A popliteal venous aneurysm (PVA) is a rare vascular disorder. We report a case of PVA discovered through further evaluation of sudden cardiac arrest (CA) caused by a pulmonary embolism (PE). It is well-known that PVA causes PE; however, there are few reports of PVA causing CA. A tangential aneurysmectomy and lateral venorrhaphy were performed. The patient\'s postoperative course was uneventful. When contrast-enhanced computed tomography is performed to search for the cause of CA, PVA should be considered and thus, screening below the knee is recommended. At 1-year follow-up, there were no complications.

Cardiac arrest is a leading cause of mortality globally, and mechanical CPR devices like the LUCAS system are designed to improve outcomes by enhancing consistency and reducing rescuer fatigue. However, this case report of a 76-year-old female who suffered cardiac arrest post-flight reveals significant complications associated with mechanical CPR. Despite achieving initial resuscitation, she developed extensive liver damage and additional complications, which ultimately led to her death. This case underscores the importance of precise training and strict adherence to guidelines when using mechanical CPR devices. It highlights that while these devices offer potential benefits, they also pose risks, especially for vulnerable patients, necessitating careful consideration and ongoing evaluation to optimize safety and effectiveness.

A patent foramen ovale (PFO) carries a high risk of paradoxical embolism. This risk is higher in certain conditions, including acute pulmonary embolism (APE). Although most patients with a PFO are asymptomatic, various clinical manifestations may be associated with PFO. Concomitant APE and acute ischemic stroke (AIS) due to paradoxical embolism from a PFO are rare. We report a case of a 61-year-old man who presented with simultaneous PE and AIS in the presence of PFO, was treated successfully with anticoagulation, and was discharged from the hospital neurologically intact.

OBJECTIVE: A pharmacoepidemiological study to assess VTE risk factors in a diabetes-rich population.
METHODS: The study comprised 299,590 individuals. We observed 3450 VTEs and matched them with 15,875 controls using a nested case-control approach and collected data on comorbidities and prescriptions. By multivariable conditional logistic regression, we calculated ORs with 95%CIs for comorbidities and medications to evaluate their associations with VTE.
RESULTS: Diabetes (aOR 2.16; 95%CI 1.99-2.34), inflammatory bowel disease (1.84; 1.27-2.66), and severe psychiatric disorders (1.72; 1.43-2.05) had the strongest associations among the non-cancer comorbidities. Pancreatic (12.32; 7.11-21.36), stomach (8.57; 4.07-18.03), lung and bronchus (6.26; 4.16-9.43), and ovarian (6.72; 2.95-15.10) cancers were ranked as high-risk for VTE. Corticosteroids, gabapentinoids, psychotropic drugs, risedronic acid, and pramipexole were most strongly associated (aOR exceeding 1.5) with VTE. Insulin (3.86; 3.33-4.47) and sulphonylureas (2.62; 2.18-3.16) had stronger associations than metformin (1.65; 1.49-1.83). Statins and lercanidipine (0.78; 0.62-0.98) were associated with a lowered risk of VTE.
CONCLUSIONS: In this cohort, with 50% diabetes prevalence, pancreatic, stomach, lung and bronchus, and ovarian cancers were strongly associated with VTE. Corticosteroids, gabapentinoids, and psychotropic medications had the strongest associations with VTE among medications. This may be valuable for generating hypotheses for the further research. Lercanidipine may be a novel protective medication against VTE.

A 43-year-old woman with a history of uterine fibroids, anemia, and deep vein thrombosis presented with a chief symptom of prolapse of tumor from the perineum, complicated by infection. The case was further complicated by bilateral pulmonary multiple embolism, deep vein thrombosis, acute cardiac insufficiency, acute renal insufficiency, and shock. The patient was treated with preoperative placement of an inferior vena cava filter, open hysterectomy, and perioperative anticoagulation with low-molecular-weight heparin. She smoothly navigated the perioperative period and recovered completely.

Coexistence of pulmonary embolism (PE) and arterial thrombosis in a single patient is rare. Management of such cases is challenging because there is no unified standard on how to treat this type of disease. We herein report a case involving a 73-year-old man who was admitted to the hospital because of a 2-day history of chest tightness. Pulmonary computed tomography angiography revealed a filling defect of the main pulmonary artery and bilateral branches as well as a left subclavian artery embolism. AngioJet mechanical thrombectomy (Boston Scientific, Marlborough, MA, USA) was used to treat the PE, and this was combined with left brachial artery incision and thrombectomy for treatment of the left subclavian artery embolism. The patient recovered well after the operation. The prognosis was good after 9 months of regular follow-up. AngioJet mechanical thrombectomy combined with left brachial artery incision thrombectomy may be a feasible treatment option for cases of PE combined with left subclavian artery embolism.

This novel report presents the first known case, to our knowledge, of a 16-year-old male patient who experienced intraventricular thrombosis and pulmonary embolism after a Nuss procedure for pectus excavatum, attributed to chronic bar displacement. Two years after the operation, the patient experienced post-exercise cough and hemoptysis, which led to his admission. Imaging revealed pulmonary embolism, thrombosis in the right ventricular outflow tract, and lung infiltrative lesions. We hypothesize that the chronic bar displacement led to its embedment in the right ventricle, resulting in thrombus formation, which subsequently contributed to partial pulmonary embolism. Surgery revealed the bars\' intrusion into the right ventricle and lung. This case highlights the risk of severe complications from bar displacement in the Nuss procedure, which necessitates long-term follow-up evaluation, caution against strenuous activities after surgery, and use of thoracoscopic guidance during bar implantation and removal. It underscores the importance of vigilant evaluation for late-stage complications in patients with respiratory distress or thrombosis after a Nuss procedure.