Cardiac 9

A post op patient is hypotensive and breathless 1 day after a total hysterectomy and BSO. What is the likely diagnosis?

Answer

This is a parasternal short axis view. The LV is hyperdynamic and there is septal flattening causing the LV cavity to appear D shaped. This is caused by acute pressure and volume overload in the right ventricle. These features are commonly seen in Acute Pulmonary Embolism.