Rapid visualization of massive pulmonary emboli utilizing intravascular ultrasound.

Massive pulmonary embolism may result in rapid deterioration prior to diagnostic and therapeutic intervention. Intravascular ultrasound imaging has been utilized previously to evaluate vascular abnormalities as well as normal human pulmonary arteries. We employed this technique to rapidly identify massive pulmonary emboli located in the main pulmonary arteries of two patients. The presence of these emboli was confirmed with pulmonary arteriography. Intravascular ultrasound may be utilized to rapidly confirm the presence of large proximal pulmonary emboli.