Abstract
Since 1996, McConnell’s sign, defined as right free wall hypokinesia with apical sparing, described as one of the most specific echocardiographic finding for acute pulmonary embolism. It was incorporated in the standard teaching and text book as a tell-tale sign for the condition. This is a case report of a patient presented with chest pain and presyncope with markedly raised D-dimer and suspicious electrocardiogram finding. The bedside focused cardiac ultrasound revealed the classical McConnell’s sign. However, the computed tomography pulmonary angiogram for pulmonary embolism was negative. The patient was subsequently diagnosed as pulmonary hypertension secondary from chronic methamphetamine abuse. This case highlights that McConnell’s sign is not specific for acute pulmonary embolism. It is also important to stratify patient according to a validated clinical probability score for pulmonary embolism before initiating definitive acute treatment.
Mohamad Iqhbal Bin Kunji Mohamad, Mohd Fazrul Bin Moktar, Julina @Azimah Mohd Noor, Nur Abdul Karim, Izzat Bin Ismail, Abdul Halim Bin Sanib, Mohd Amin Mohd Mokhtar, Safreeda SF Salim
