MULTIPLANE TRANSESOPHAGEAL ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY TO DETECT EFFECTIVENESS OF SELECTIVE PULMONARY RECOMBINANT TISSUE-TYPE PLASMINOGEN-ACTIVATOR THROMBOLYSIS IN PULMONARY-EMBOLISM AND PATENT FORAMEN OVALE

A functionally patent foramen ovale can create a relevant right-to-lef t shunt during massive pulmonary embolism, This associated feature, al though maintaining adequate cardiac output, may explain both the parad oxic embolism and the uneffectiveness of peripherally administered dru gs. This case demonstrates the potential of transesophageal echocardio graphy in monitoring the hemodynamic findings of such patients and, co nsequently, the effectiveness of thrombolytic treatment.