Underdiagnosis of Pulmonary Embolism: A Recurrent Nightmare for Surgeons

Abstract

Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a life-threatening
condition or complication frequently seen after
surgeries. Despite its all fatal potency, the clinical
manifestation of PE is neither sensitive nor specific.
Therefore it could be easily underdiagnosed or
overdiagnosed, PE could be considered as one of the
worst nightmares of cardiac surgeons.
Decreasing the mortality from PE depends on rapid
and accurate diagnosis, which should be based on
objective evidence.
 Risk factors for venous thromboembolism, diagnostic
values of symptoms and signs and the new diagnostic
technologies are discussed, and a practical algorithm
on PE diagnosis is presented in this review.
Key words: Pulmonary embolism, deep vein thrombosis,
heart disease, thromboembolism, open heart surgery,
surgical complication

Keywords

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