The diagnosis was left-side pulmonary emboli. Testing for genetic risk factors was negative, leaving oral contraceptive use as the likely cause of the condition. The patient was treated with anticoagulant drugs and discontinuation of oral contraceptives, and was allowed to resume running gradually.
Discussion covers genetic and other risk factors, anticoagulation therapy, and return to play.
C hest pain in a fit, normally healthy patient is usually not serious, but clinicians need to be alert to all the possible causes. The following case report describes the diagnosis and treatment of an elite female athlete whose chest pain turned out to be the result of pulmonary emboli. Case Report History. Because of shortness of breath with exercise, she cut her weekly mileage from 80 to 30 miles. At the end of 2 weeks, she noticed a sharp, stabbing, right-side pain with deep inspiration.