A Study of Pulmonary Embolism

Epidemiological features of subarachnoid and cerebral haemorrhages

“…1 and 2, could be made if these groups were combined. This rapid decrease in mortality with time is found in many vascular disorders, myocardial infarction (Smyllie et al, 1973), pulmonary embolism (Gorham, 1961) and dissecting and saccular aortic aneurysm (Talbot & Langman, 1972). As with pulmonary embolism, recurrences disturb the progressive drop.…”

Thrombolysis as an Alternative to Pulmonary Embolectomy

“…Of the patients suffering fatal pulmonary embolism, 50 to 60% die within the first 30 minutes, and it is doubtful that any therapeutic alterations will significantly reduce their number simply because there is not enough time to establish the diagnosis and to begin definitive treatment. 2,3 It has been estimated that one-half of the 40% of patients who survive long enough for treatment to be undertaken are unsalvageable because of an associated critical medical illness. 3, 4 This leaves approximately 28,000 potentially preventable pulmonary embolism deaths annually in this country alone.…”

The surgical treatment of acute massive pulmonary embolism

“…The basic indication for angiography is to establish the diagnosis in those cases, considered for surgery. Not only is the diagnosis made certain but the side of the occlusion is known and if it is unilateral, as it is in 15% (Gorham, 1961), surgery can be carried out through unilateral thoracotomy even without the help of bypass (Bradley, Bennett & Lyons, 1964;Frater et al, 1966).…”