Underdiagnosis of Pulmonary Embolism: A Recurrent Nightmare for Surgeons

Abstract

Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a life-threatening condition or complication frequently seen after surgeries. Despite its all fatal potency, the clinical manifestation of PE is neither sensitive nor specific. Therefore it could be easily underdiagnosed or overdiagnosed, PE could be considered as one of the worst nightmares of cardiac surgeons. Decreasing the mortality from PE depends on rapid and accurate diagnosis, which should be based on objective evidence. Risk factors for venous thromboembolism, diagnostic values of symptoms and signs and the new diagnostic technologies are discussed, and a practical algorithm on PE diagnosis is presented in this review. Key words: Pulmonary embolism, deep vein thrombosis, heart disease, thromboembolism, open heart surgery, surgical complication