Pulmonary embolism
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Pulmonary embolism is often on the differential in autopsies, as it is not easy to diagnose clinically.
Clinical
- Shortness of breath (dyspnea) - classic symptom.
- Tachycardia.
- Chest pain.
- Findings associated with deep vein thrombosis
- Leg pain.
- Leg swelling.
Notes:
- Venous thrombosis OR~=12 for PE.[1]
Risks
Hypercoagulable states:[2]
Gross
- Intravascular spagetti with cream sauce.
- Leg swelling.
Microscopic
Features:
- Organized blood components (RBCs, WBCs) in layers with organization (fibrin); Lines of Zahn = layers of components
Images:
References
- ↑ Reissig A, Haase U, Schulze E, Lehmann T, Kroegel C (July 2010). "[Diagnosis and therapy of pulmonary embolism prior to death]" (in German). Dtsch. Med. Wochenschr. 135 (30): 1477–83. doi:10.1055/s-0030-1262435. PMID 20648405.
- ↑ URL: http://archinte.highwire.org/cgi/content/full/161/20/2433. Accessed on: 15 September 2010.