Article information
Resumen
A continuación describimos un caso de disnea súbita en una mujer de 81 años con fractura de cadera. En pacientes con enfermedades potencialmente letales debemos llegar a un diagnóstico definitivo. Si el curso clínico y algunos hallazgos son incongruentes con el diagnóstico de presunción deberemos replantearnos el diagnóstico. Hay que tener una alta sospecha de tromboembolismo pulmonar ante la aparición de taquipnea inexplicable. Este caso sirve para recordar las múltiples enfermedades de presentación inespecífica y diagnóstico difícil en el anciano.
Palabras clave:
Disnea
Ancianos
Embolismo de pulmón
Insuficiencia cardíaca
Presentación atípica
Summary
. Herein we describe a case of sudden dyspnea in an 81 year old woman with a hip fracture. In patients with potentially life threatening diseases, we must obtain a definitive diagnosis. When the clinical evolution and some findings are incongruent with the presumed diagnosis, we must reexamine the diagnosis. Pulmonary embolism must be highly suspected in a patient with unexplained recent tachypnea. This case serves to review the multiple diseases with non-specific presentation which are difficult to diagnose in the elderly.
Key words:
Dyspnea
Elderly
Pulmonary embolism
Heart failure
Atypical presentation
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