Sinus Tachycardia in the Adolescent: The Importance of Differential Diagnosis

Authors

  • Inês Oliveira Serviço de Pediatria. Hospital de São Bernardo. Centro Hospitalar de Setúbal. Setúbal. https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1205-7437
  • Hugo Teles Serviço de Pediatria. Hospital de São Bernardo. Centro Hospitalar de Setúbal. Setúbal.
  • Filipe Seixo Serviço de Cardiologia. Hospital de São Bernardo. Centro Hospitalar de Setúbal. Setúbal.
  • Anabela Ferrão Unidade de Hematologia Pediátrica. Departamento de Pediatria. Hospital de Santa Maria. Centro Hospitalar Lisboa Norte. Lisboa.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.20344/amp.10719

Keywords:

Adolescent, Contraceptive Agents, Diagnosis, Differential, Pulmonary Embolism, Tachycardia, Sinus/diagnosis

Abstract

Sinus tachycardia is common in pediatric age, and is usually related to benign physiological conditions, such as somatoform disorders. Nevertheless, it can also be a presenting sign of a disease with an ominous prognosis. We present a case of a previously healthy 15-year-old girl, admitted for syncope. She had been well until one week before admission, when thoracic pain developed. One month prior to the admission she had started oral contraceptives. On examination, she had persistent sinus tachycardia, despite hemodynamic stability and no other associated sign or symptom. Thoracic computed tomography angiography revealed thrombi in the main pulmonary arteries, which confirmed bilateral pulmonary embolism. She was started on anticoagulation with unremarkable clinical course evolution. Pediatric pulmonary embolism is rare, although probably underdiagnosed, given the nonspecific presentation in most cases. Maintaining a high level of clinical suspicion of pulmonary embolism avoids delay in the diagnosis, allows early appropriate treatment and improves prognosis.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Published

2019-08-01

How to Cite

1.
Oliveira I, Teles H, Seixo F, Ferrão A. Sinus Tachycardia in the Adolescent: The Importance of Differential Diagnosis. Acta Med Port [Internet]. 2019 Aug. 1 [cited 2024 Mar. 28];32(7-8):545-8. Available from: https://www.actamedicaportuguesa.com/revista/index.php/amp/article/view/10719

Issue

Section

Case Report