Pulmonary thromboembolism after tourniquet inflation under spinal anesthesia -A case report-.

Pulmonary thromboembolism is one of the most important causes of morbidity and mortality in patients undergoing lower extremity orthopedic surgery. Early diagnosis and appropriate management are important clinical challenges. In this case, massive pulmonary embolism causing sudden cardiac arrest was attributed to use of tourniquet inflation during lower extremity orthopedic surgery. Resuscitation procedures were initiated and transesophageal echocardiography revealed pulmonary thromboembolism. Patients with high suspicion for the presence of deep vein thrombus must be monitored thoroughly during limb exsanguinations.