Multiple pulmonary embolism in patients with ventriculoatrial shunts: a report on two cases.

Pulmonary embolism occurred in two patients with a Spitz-Holter shunt. One patient had a massive pulmonary embolism which resulted in the development of pulmonary hypertension. The patient suffered another episode of embolism during warfarin therapy and died. Autopsy revealed a massive belateral pulmonary embolism. No thrombi were found in the venous system. The other patient had experienced symptoms that suggested recurrent pulmonary embolism before the established diagnosis. Thereafter she has constantly been treated with oral anticoagulant therapy without the recurrence of emboli.