Abstract

DIAZ, S.; FERNANDEZ, S.; JIMENEZ, J.  and  SALGUERO, M.. Thromboflebitis in upper extremity as origin of a massive pulmonary embolism: A case report. Cuad. med. forense [online]. 2005, n.39, pp.55-61. ISSN 1988-611X.

Pulmonary thromboembolism is commonly associated with sudden death in adults and is a frequent post-mortem finding in forensic autopsies. The emboli aetiology and emplacement are usually related to deep vein thrombosis in lower extremities in the context of a venous thromboembolic disease. However, in some cases, the origin of the thrombus is located in the upper extremities as a result of a thromboflebitis. A case is presented of a patient admitted in hospital with bowel disease who died suddenly after intravenous therapy with thromboflebitis in the left arm. The post-mortem study showed a massive pulmonary embolism as the cause of death. The forensic implications of pulmonary embolism not only imply the investigation of the cause of death but it could also be related, in some cases, to the evaluation of malpractice claims.

Keywords : Pulmonary embolism; Venous thrombosis; Sudden-unexpected death.

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