Case report. Successful use of tenecteplase in massive pulmonary embolism with cardiopulmonary resuscitation immediately following tracheostomy.

The use of thrombolytics for the treatment of massive pulmonary embolism with cardiopulmonary resuscitation is being controversially discussed. This is one of the first reports on the successful use of tenecteplase in a 59-year-old man who survived a massive pulmonary embolism after tracheostomy followed by a 30-minute cardiopulmonary resuscitation without cerebral damage. In such a dramatic clinical event, the immediate and simple use of this modern thrombolytic appears to be a justifiable last-resort treatment option until controlled studies in sufficiently sized patient populations will have proven or refuted its efficacy and safety.