Echocardiographic demonstration of pulmonary embolism as it evolves through the right heart chambers

In three patients with pulmonary embolism, two-dimensional echocardiography demonstrated thrombi within the right heart chambers. These thrombi, suspected of embolizing into the pulmonary circulation, showed varied morphology and mobility. Of the two patients undergoing embolectomy, only one survived. The third patient improved with anticoagulation therapy. Two-dimensional echocardiography is useful in evaluating patients suspected of having pulmonary thromboembolism because it may demonstrate evolution of the thrombus.