Korean J Leg Med.  2015 May;39(2):41-44. 10.7580/kjlm.2015.39.2.41.

Pulmonary Embolism and Uterine Venous Plexus Thrombosis in the Postpartum Period

• Kim YK
• Kim KB
• Kim CH
• Ha H

• KMID: 1794322
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.7580/kjlm.2015.39.2.41

Abstract

Pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) associated with uterine venous plexus thrombosis is very rare. This was recently observed in a puerperal woman without significant medical history. The woman had two pregnancy-associated risk factors for venous thromboembolism, which were obesity and cesarean delivery. A day after cesarean delivery, she presented with dyspnea and cyanosis. When transferred to a larger hospital, no pulse was detected, and she was pronounced dead. Autopsy examination revealed that the cause of death was related to PTE, apparently due to thrombi that originated in the uterine venous plexus.

Keyword

Pulmonary embolism; Venous thrombosis; Pregnancy; Autopsy

MeSH Terms

Autopsy
Cause of Death
Cyanosis
Dyspnea
Female
Humans
Obesity
Postpartum Period*
Pregnancy
Pulmonary Embolism*
Risk Factors
Thrombosis*
Venous Thromboembolism
Venous Thrombosis

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1. A large thrombus was visible in the right pulmonary artery.

• 

  Fig. 2. A thrombus was identified in the uterine venous plexus.

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