Journal List > Tuberc Respir Dis > v.62(3) > 1001066

Oh, Jung, Yoon, Yoon, Park, Lee, Hong, Woo, Choi, Lee, and Lee: A Case of Pulmonary Thromboembolism in a Patient with Hyperhomocysteinemia

Abstract

Hyperhomocysteinemia is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular, cerebrovascular and peripheral vascular diseases that are complicated by atherosclerosis and a thromboembolism. An increased level of plasma homocysteine develops from a genetic defect in the of enzyme for the homocysteine metabolism or a vitamin deficiency. Hyperhomocysteinemia has direct toxic effect on the vascular endothelium and causes damages to the antithrombotic action of vascular endothelial cells. Most cases of hyperhomocysteinemia are asymptomatic, but cardiopulmonary or cerebrovascular incidents developin rare cases. In the case of a thromboembolism with an unknown cause, hyperhomocysteinemia should be considered in a differential diagnosis. The authors report a case of pulmonary thromboembolism in a patient with hyperhomocysteinemia with a review of the relevant literature.

Figures and Tables

Figure 1
EKG showing atrial fibrillation, T-wave inversion at lead III and incomplete RBBB.
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Figure 2
Echocardiography(parasternal short axis view) showing paradoxical septal motion(D-shaped LV).
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Figure 3
Chest CT showing filling defect at the bifurcation site of bilateral pulmonary arteries.
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Figure 4
Lung perfusion scan shows moderate photon defect in both lower lobes.
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Figure 5
Schematic representation of homocysteine metabolism.
MS:methionine synthase; MTHF:methylene tetrahydrofolate; MTHFR: methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase; CBS:cystathionine β synthase
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