Stick it to Me: Antiphospholipid Awareness

The accurate diagnosis of pulmonary embolism (PE) is crucial. PE is currently the third leading cause of death in the United States with 50,000 to 100,000 estimated deaths per year and an incidence of 0.5 to 1 per 1000. PE is a leading cause of unexpected deaths in hospitalized patients and a major source of medical malpractice lawsuits. However, the diagnosis ismissed more often than it is made. One author conservatively estimates that more than half of fatal PE cases are not even suspected antemortem. Prior autopsy studies consistently have shown the rate to be even higher, at approximately 70 percent. Source.

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