CLINICAL AND PATHOMORPHOLOGICAL FEATURES OF POSTOPERATIVE PULMONARY ARTERY THROMBOEMBOLISM

Background. Pulmonary artery thromboembolism, commonly referred to as pulmonary embolism, is one of the most serious complications occurring after surgical procedures. Surgical trauma, prolonged immobilization, venous stasis, endothelial injury, systemic inflammation, and activation of the coagulation cascade create favorable conditions for deep vein thrombosis and subsequent embolization into the pulmonary arterial system. The clinical manifestations of postoperative pulmonary embolism are often nonspecific and may be incorrectly attributed to postoperative pain, atelectasis, pneumonia, blood loss, cardiac dysfunction, or the effects of anesthesia. Therefore, early recognition of its clinical features is essential for preventing hemodynamic deterioration and fatal outcomes.