After total knee implant surgery, a 65-year-old woman complains of calf pain and swelling in the leg from last 2 days. Later she complains of breathlessness and dies suddenly in the ward. What is the probable cause?
High-Yield Explanation
PE and DVT occurring after total hip or knee replacement are prevented by giving subcutaneous fondaparinux. Pt with DVT has H/O cramp in the lower calf that persists for several days and becomes more uncomfoable as time progresses. Pt with PE often has the most common history of unexplained breathlessness. - ARDS is being ruled out as the presentation is acute with decrease in PCWP <18mmHg with B/L pulmonary infilteration on CXR - Stroke and MI has no H/O post op. breathlessness and such presentation.