2011 Volume 31 Issue 4 Pages 700-706
The patient was a 67-year-old female with a history of right lower extremity fracture and cast immobilization for 15 days prior to admission, who was diagnosed with cecal cancer. She underwent ileocecal resection uneventfully. On postoperative day 2, she developed dyspnea and then suffered cardiopulmonary arrest when she was trying to walk for postoperative ambulation. The patient immediately showed return of spontaneous circulation upon initiation of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Pulmonary angiography revealed bilateral occlusion of the pulmonary arteries, consistent with the diagnosis of acute pulmonary thromboembolism. Catheter thromboembolectomy was performed. After intensive care including CPR and percutaneous cardiopulmonary support (PCPS), the patient recovered with no severe complications. It is important to be aware that perioperative patients with cast immobilization are at a high risk of developing thromboembolism.
