Profilassi eparinica nella tromboembolia polmonare: responsabilità professionale e profili giuridici

Abstract

Early diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is often difficult: DVT can be asimnthomatic and pulmonary thrombo-embolism (PTE) often occur in a sudden and unexpected way. Pharmacological prophylaxis, aiming at reducing the state of blood hypercoagulability, is the elective therapeutic strategy for vein thomboembolism. Pulmonary embolism is not only one of the most common causes of unexpected death in hospitalized patients, but also one of the top diseases leading to medical malpractice lawsuits. This article describes a case where the lack of adequate pharmacological prophylaxis caused the death of a woman for pulmonary thromboembolism. After some clinical and pharmacological considerations about prophylactic measures for PTE, the Authors explore the question of legal liability of medical practitioners in this situation.