A 65-year-old woman after total knee implant surgery complains of calf pain and swelling in the leg from last 2 days. Later she complains of breathlessness and dies suddenly in the ward. Probable cause?
PE is the most common preventable cause of death among hospitalized patients.PE and DVT occurring after total hip or knee replacement are currently taken as unacceptable, and steps are taken to prevent it by giving subcutaneous fondaparinux.
For patients who have DVT, the most common history is a cramp in the lower calf that persists for several days and becomes more uncomfortable as time progresses.
For patients who have PE, the most common history is unexplained breathlessness
Stroke
Myocardial infarction
ARDS
Pulmonary embolism