Pulmonary embolism is a not uncommon complication in patients hospitalized for other medical and surgical diseases. The autopsy incidence of pulmonary embolism is much higher than that anticipated by clinical diagnosis.* For these reasons we have reviewed the cases of pulmonary embolism that have occurred at Montefiore Hospital during the past five years. Certain clinical features, not sufficiently emphasized in the medical literature, were discovered to occur in a high incidence. The electrocardiogram, a good collateral aid in the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism, is usually not obtained early enough, often enough, nor in a serial fashion.
Sixty-seven records were examined, and of this group 62 cases were selected, because in 5 instances the available data were inadequate for proper analysis. Of the 62 cases, 33 were autopsied and in 29 the patients recovered. Forty-nine were medical cases, and 13 were surgical. The complicating medical features in the patients selected were