Cardiology Experts Discuss Pulmonary Embolism Following Trip and Fall Accident

Case Overview

Questions to the Cardiology expert and their responses

Do you have experience treating patients who have sustained similar injuries due to accidents of this nature?

In my clinical practice I have treated patients with deep vein thrombosis and atrial fibrillation.

How common is it for patients to develop these sequelae after an accident?

There are studies that show that immobilization after trauma increases the chance of venous clotting and pulmonary embolism. In a large study, 45% of patients with venous thromboembolism had more than 48 hours of immobility in the preceding month. Minor injuries may increase the rate for developing venous clotting and subsequent embolism. Another study revealed that 11.7 of nearly 2500 patients had a minor injury in the three months preceding the venous thrombosis compared to 4.4% of controls. It may have been the case that this patient's shift to a more sedentary lifestyle contributed to her eventual illness.