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Open Access
CC BY 4.0 · J Neuroanaesth Crit Care
DOI: 10.1055/s-0045-1812855
Case Report

Multidisciplinary Management of Acute Pulmonary Thromboembolism Following Lumbar Spinal Fusion Surgery: A Case Report

Authors

  • Sandeep Dey 

    1   Department of Neuroanesthesiology and Neurocritical Care, Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurugram, Haryana, India

  • Suman P. Prabhakar

    1   Department of Neuroanesthesiology and Neurocritical Care, Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurugram, Haryana, India

  • Virendra Jain

    1   Department of Neuroanesthesiology and Neurocritical Care, Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurugram, Haryana, India

  • Anand Kumar

    2   Department of Cardiac Anesthesiology and Critical Care, Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurugram, Haryana, India

  • Sandeep Vaishya

    3   Department of Neurosurgery, Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurugram, Haryana, India

  • Udgeath Dhir

    4   Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurugram, Haryana, India

  • Hari Hara Dash

    1   Department of Neuroanesthesiology and Neurocritical Care, Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurugram, Haryana, India
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Abstract

Acute pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) is a life-threatening complication. Although uncommon, acute PTE can develop silently during prolonged immobility associated with long-duration surgery, particularly in high-risk patients. Prompt diagnosis and effective management can help in salvaging such patients. Here, we present the case of a 40-year-old African female who developed acute PTE soon after turning the patient from prone to supine position with continuous monitoring following spinal fusion surgery. This case report highlights an unusual presentation of acute PTE, which was managed successfully by both the neuroanesthesia and cardiac sciences teams. An integrated, multidisciplinary team approach was the key to her revival.

Keywords

Pulmonary thromboembolism - lumbar spinal fusion - neuroanesthesia - cardiac anesthesia - pulmonary embolism response team


Publication History

Article published online:
12 December 2025

© 2025. The Author(s). This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, permitting unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction so long as the original work is properly cited. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

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