Chronic Pulmonary Thromboembolism: A Case Report

The presentation of pulmonary thromboembolism can vary from a clinically subtle finding to an obvious massive embolism which can result in death. However, chronic pulmonary thromboembolism may be subjectively insensible even if the lesion is extensive. When the risk factors of venous thromboembolism coexist with suggestive symptoms, we should be suspicious. At that time, early treatment will be possible to prevent the progression of the disease. We present a male patient with a history of a previous pulmonary infarct five years ago. He had suffered from deep vein thrombosis for at least two years before having a recent onset of dyspnea, chest pain, and hemoptysis. We finally confirmed a pulmonary thromboembolism by using a lung perfusion scan and a thoracic computed tomographic scan, despite a normal D-dimer value.