[Pulmonary embolisms as a complication of acute arterial obstruction of the lower extremities].

This is an analysis of 130 cases with embolism of the pulmonary artery with a lethal outcome, which had developed in patients suffering from occlusion of the lower extremities. It is noted that the origin of embolism of the system of the pulmonary artery depends on the severity of ischemia of the tissues of the affected extremity and pointed out that this menacing complication develops both in the stage of ischemia and in the postischemic period. For the prevention of pulmonary embolism in patients with severe ischemia or gangrene of the lower extremities, it is recommended that operative treatment (corrective operations on the arteries or amputation) should be combined with inspection of the major veins.