Canadian Journal of Anesthesia, Vol 8, 143-153, Copyright © 1961 by Canadian Anesthesiologists' Society

Anaesthesia and Pulmonary Embolism

¹ Department of Anaesthesiology, Vancouver General Hospital, and University of British Columbia, Vancouver, B.C.
² Director, Department of Anaesthesiology, Vancouver General Hospital, Clinical Associate Professor of Surgery, Medical Faculty, University of British Columbia

The relatively high incidence in a general hospital of autopsy-proven pulmonary embolism as a cause of death in the postoperative patient has been noted. A brief description of some of the main physiologic-pathologic factors involved in the pathogenesis and pathology of pulmonanary embolism, with particular emphasis on their clinical implications especially where they pertain to the field of anaesthesia, has been given. Some of the problems which may confront the anaesthetist in dealing with patients prone to develop this condition have been outlined. Factors influencing the conduct of anaesthesia are discussed.

Note:

Presented at the Second World Congress of Anaesthesiologists, Toronto, Canada, Sept. 4–10, 1960.