Forensic Pathology for Police - Brainshare Public Online Library

Emboli 547
Fig. 21.8 Decomposed sclera (white part of eyes)
Pulmonary Thromboemboli
Thromboemboli typically arise as thrombi (blood clots) within the deep veins of
the legs, although occasionally they involve the pelvic veins, or even within the
dural sinuses. When thrombi occur in these deep veins, the condition is called “deep
venous thrombosis” (DVT). Persons are at increased risk for developing DVT in
a variety of situations, including various hereditary conditions that predispose to
clotting (factor V leiden mutations, protein S deficiency, protein C deficiency), obesity,
pregnancy, any condition that leads to decreased mobility, and trauma. If a
DVT breaks away from the blood vessel wall, it can travel (“embolize”) through
the venous system, into and through the right side of the heart, and then become
lodged within the pulmonary arteries (Fig. 21.9). If the thromboembolus is large
enough, it can cause sudden collapse and death. Such thromboemboli are usually
Fig. 21.9 Pulmonary embolism characterized by blood thrombi (clots) blocking the pulmonary
artery