Hematemesis, a Distended Abdomen, and Pulseless Electrical Activity – An Unusual Presentation of Boerhaave’s Syndrome

Authors

Andrew Garrett, MD, Thomas Jefferson UniversityFollow
Marie Nguyen, MD, Thomas Jefferson University
Lindsay Wilde, MD, Thomas Jefferson UniversityFollow
Andrew Toscano, MD, Thomas Jefferson University
Philip Pancari, MD, Thomas Jefferson University
Andrew Lerner, MD, Thomas Jefferson UniversityFollow

Abstract

Case Presentation

An 82-year-old male with a past medical history significant for coronary artery disease with three stents placed over the last 15 months, diastolic heart failure with preserved EF, atrial fibrillation on warfarin, colon cancer status-post sigmoid resection and prostate cancer status-post prostatectomy who presented with three episodes of melena, hematemesis, and weakness. The patient was in his usual state of health prior to these symptoms. He had no history of gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding or other GI pathology and was a non-drinker and non-smoker. He denied frequent use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications.

Recommended Citation

Garrett, MD, Andrew; Nguyen, MD, Marie; Wilde, MD, Lindsay; Toscano, MD, Andrew; Pancari, MD, Philip; and Lerner, MD, Andrew (2012) "Hematemesis, a Distended Abdomen, and Pulseless Electrical Activity – An Unusual Presentation of Boerhaave’s Syndrome," The Medicine Forum: Vol. 13, Article 7.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.29046/TMF.013.1.008
Available at: https://jdc.jefferson.edu/tmf/vol13/iss1/7