Ti. Morgenthaler et Jh. Ryu, CLINICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF FATAL PULMONARY-EMBOLISM IN A REFERRAL HOSPITAL, Mayo Clinic proceedings, 70(5), 1995, pp. 417-424
Objective: To determine the clinical characteristics of hospitalized p
atients who died of pulmonary embolism, confirmed by evaluative autops
y. Design: We retrospectively analyzed a series of autopsy cases of pu
lmonary embolism at a tertiary-care center for the period Jan. 1, 1985
, through Dec. 31, 1989. Material and Methods: The medical and autopsy
records of all hospitalized patients with autopsy proven fatal pulmon
ary embolism mere reviewed. Cases of tumor emboli, fat emboli, and con
tributory-only thromboembolic disease mere excluded from the study. Sp
ecific symptoms and signs, diagnostic studies, and prophylactic measur
es were noted. Results: Among 2,427 autopsies performed during the 5-y
ear study period, death in 92 (3.8%) was clinically and pathologically
judged to be caused by pulmonary embolism. No risk factors were noted
in only 11 patients (12%). Prophylaxis against thromboembolism was us
ed in 46%. Classic symptoms were often absent: dyspnea was present in
only 59%, chest pain in only 17%, and hemoptysis in 3%. Pulmonary embo
lism was considered in 49% of the 92 patients and was correctly assign
ed as the cause of death on the death certificate or in the medical re
cords in 32%. Testing for venous thromboembolic disease was performed
in 22%. Comorbidity was present in most patients: 54% had guarded or p
oor prognoses independent of pulmonary embolism. Conclusion: The usual
signs and symptoms associated with pulmonary embolism did not adequat
ely identify most of our patients who died of pulmonary embolism. The
reasons included the absence of these signs and symptoms, inability to
communicate (for example, sedated or comatose patient), sudden death
from acute massive pulmonary embolism, and presence of comorbid factor
s.