POSTOPERATIVE PULMOMNARY EMBOLISM: ITS DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT / 解放军医学杂志

ABSTRACT

14 cases of postoperative pulmonary embolism were reported. The incidence of this postoperative complication was 0.47‰ during a 5-year period. The main source of embolus was ileo-fomoral venous thrombosis (confirmed in 9 cases). 10 patients died of this complication, autopsy in 6 of them revealed the embolism occurred in a main pulmonary artery on one or both sides. With a review of recent literatures, the authors discussed the causes, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of this fatal complication, and pointed out the diagnostic value of a comprohensive study of clinical manifestations, arterial blood gas analysis, EKG and plain chest film findings. A more aggressive attitude towards the acceptance of pulmonary embolectomy was suggested in those patients who failed to respond rapidly to medical managment.