Acute massive pulmonary embolism following pulmonary resection.

Eighteen cases of acute massive and fatal pulmonary embolism following pulmonary resection are summarized. Clinical presentation is distinct in this group of patients. In one-third of the cases there was radiological evidence of major embolism several hours before the acute dramatic episode. At necropsy there seemed to be no correlation between the vascular area obstructed and the acute clinical deterioration. Longest survival occurred in those patients with () the best pre-operative respiratory function, and () the least operative and post-operative complications.