An unusual cause of postoperative dyspnoea

• Published in: Gut Vol. 53; no. 9; p. 1278
• Main Authors: Cadet, B, Ashford, R U, Joseph, S, De Boer, P, Miller, G V
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and British Society of Gastroenterology 01.09.2004; BMJ Publishing Group LTD; Copyright 2004 by Gut
• Subjects: Aged; Airway management; Diagnosis, Differential; Dyspnea - etiology; Esophageal Diseases - complications; Esophageal Diseases - diagnostic imaging; Humans; Joint surgery; Male; Miscellanea; Molecular weight; oesophagus; Oxygen; Oxygen therapy; Postoperative Complications; Pulmonary Embolism - diagnosis; Respiratory therapy; rupture; Rupture, Spontaneous; tension pneumothorax; Tomography, X-Ray Computed
• ISSN: 0017-5749; 1468-3288; 1458-3288
• DOI: 10.1136/gut.2003.033241

Table 1 Arterial blood gases on initial oxygen therapy and their subsequent improvement Oxygen therapy 10 l/min Non-rebreather mask pH 7.5 7.46 pCO2 (kPa) 3.5 3.66 pO2 (kPa) 6.7 18.0 Oxygen saturation (%) 90 98 At medical review, chest radiography was interpreted as right lower zone shadowing and a preliminary diagnosis of postoperative pulmonary embolus was postulated, treatment with oxygen continued, and low molecular weight heparin was commenced.