Fatal Pulmonary Thrombo-embolism: A Case Series of Autopsies Performed at Medical Teaching Institute in Central India

Pulmonary thrombo-embolism (PTE) is life threatening manifestation of disease known as venous thrombo-embolism (VTE). VTE is traditionally considered to be very rare in Indian population as compared to westerns. The belief of rarity and/or ignorance about this disease entity in India had resulted into very little contribution to literature of VTE from this part of the World. Here we present descriptive study of fatal PTE cases autopsied at a Medical Teaching Institute in central India. The predisposing factors observed were prolonged sitting for long distance ground travel, postpartum period after cesarean delivery, carcinoma of uterine cervix, and trauma. The symptoms of PTE appeared suddenly and rapidly progressed to death. Venous stasis was the most important observed risk factor for thrombosis and PTE.