The use of sildenafil in the therapy of massive pulmonary embolism

Sildenafil in Acute Pulmonary Embolism: Case Report and Review of Literature

We discuss the use of sildenafil in a patient who sustained a massive pulmonary embolism (PE). She remained haemodynamically unstable after thrombolysis, and needed large doses of inotropic support. She was treated with oral sildenafil at a dose of 75 mg three times a day which enabled weaning from inotropic support and clinical improvement.

Guidelines on the diagnosis and management of acute pulmonary embolism: the Task Force for the Diagnosis and Management of Acute Pulmonary Embolism of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC)

Non-thrombotic PE does not represent a distinct clinical syndrome. It may be due to a variety of embolic materials and result in a wide spectrum of clinical presentations, making the diagnosis difficult. With the exception of severe air and fat embolism, the haemodynamic consequences of non-thrombotic emboli are usually mild. Treatment is mostly supportive but may differ according to the type of embolic material and clinical severity.