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The autopsy and diagnosis of pulmonary thrombo-embolism

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Abstract

Pulmonary thrombo-embolism (PTE) is a common cause of death but is frequently undetected by clinicians in spite of advanced diagnostic techniques. The autopsy has traditionally been used to identify the rate of PTE in hospital patients, but the decline in autopsy rates – especially in hospitals – has led to insufficient recent data from which to comment with confidence on the true rate of death from latent PTE. Widespread prophylactic anticoagulation regimens against venous thrombosis may induce complacency amongst clinicians. PTE continues to occur and to kill, and autopsies should be performed more frequently to better estimate the true prevalence of this condition.

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Acknowledgments

Professor J. Duflou (Department of Forensic Medicine, Sydney Local Health District), for supervision of an elective project in forensic pathology and a term paper which formed the basis of this article.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, 2006, Australia

    Milton J. Micallef

  2. Department of Forensic Medicine, Sydney Local Health District, Glebe, New South Wales, 2037, Australia

    Milton J. Micallef

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  1. Milton J. Micallef
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Correspondence to Milton J. Micallef.

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Micallef, M.J. The autopsy and diagnosis of pulmonary thrombo-embolism. Forensic Sci Med Pathol 14, 241–243 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12024-018-9950-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12024-018-9950-5

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