Prevalence of death due to pulmonary embolism after trauma

• Main Authors: Echeverria Rodrigo, Baitello Andre, Pereira de Godoy Jose, Espada Paulo, Morioka Rogerio
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2010-01-01
• Series: Lung India
• Subjects: <i>Causa mortis</i>; trauma; pulmonary embolism; prevalence; mortality
• Online Access: http://www.lungindia.com/article.asp?issn=0970-2113;year=2010;volume=27;issue=2;spage=72;epage=74;aulast=Echeverria

<b>Background: </b> Pulmonary thromboembolism is an important cause of death affecting thousands of people worldwide. The current study aims to evaluate the prevalence of death due to pulmonary embolism after trauma. <b> Materials and Methods:</b> The diagnoses of the <i>causa mortis</i> of all patients treated in the Accident and Emergency Department of Hospital de Base in S&#947;o Jos&#953; do Rio Preto, in the period from July 2004 to June 2005, were identified from autopsy reports to check whether pulmonary thromboembolism was involved. <b> Result:</b> A total of 109 deaths due to trauma were detected in this period with pulmonary embolism occurring in 3 (2.75&#x0025;) patients. <b> Conclusion:</b> Pulmonary thromboembolism is an important cause of mortality in trauma patients and so prophylactic measures should be taken during the treatment of these patients.