SyncoPE: a Rare Presentation of Pulmonary Embolism—a Case Report

The S1Q3T3 pattern is neither sensitive nor specific for pulmonary embolisms; however, it can help guide clinical management in a patient with a vague presentation including syncope. An elderly male presented to the hospital after an unwitnessed first-time syncopal event. His initial EKG on admission revealed an S1Q3T3 pattern which prompted concern for a possible pulmonary embolism as the cause of his syncopal event. Further imaging confirmed the diagnosis. Syncope offers a long list of possible causes, but pulmonary embolism is commonly missed on the differential diagnosis. Our patients’ acute EKG findings ultimately helped guide our management to correctly diagnose our patient with a newfound pulmonary embolism as the cause of his syncopal event.