Pulmonary embolism is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Risk factors include venous stasis, endothelial injury, and hypercoagulability. Prevention centers on the use of sequential compression devices and antic...Pulmonary embolism is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Risk factors include venous stasis, endothelial injury, and hypercoagulability. Prevention centers on the use of sequential compression devices and anticoagulation in the hospital patient. This is the case of a 45-year-old male who presented for open reduction and internal fixation of tibia plateau fracture. He developed a saddle embolus during the perioperative period which was diagnosed in the recovery room after workup for the cause of his poor oxygenation. A chest computed tomographic scan showed an extensive saddle embolus with partial occlusion of the bilateral main pulmonary arteries and all segmental pulmonary artery branches. This case report discusses his diagnosis, management and clinical course. In addition, risk factors, treatment and prevention for pulmonary embolus and described.展开更多
文摘Pulmonary embolism is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Risk factors include venous stasis, endothelial injury, and hypercoagulability. Prevention centers on the use of sequential compression devices and anticoagulation in the hospital patient. This is the case of a 45-year-old male who presented for open reduction and internal fixation of tibia plateau fracture. He developed a saddle embolus during the perioperative period which was diagnosed in the recovery room after workup for the cause of his poor oxygenation. A chest computed tomographic scan showed an extensive saddle embolus with partial occlusion of the bilateral main pulmonary arteries and all segmental pulmonary artery branches. This case report discusses his diagnosis, management and clinical course. In addition, risk factors, treatment and prevention for pulmonary embolus and described.