Post-operative pulmonary embolism: an easy diagnosis? But how to confirm it and determine each person's responsibilities ?

Despite advances in the prevention and treatment of thrombotic diseases, fatal pulmonary embolism remains the most shocking event for both healthcare professionals and families. However, this diagnosis is often cited to explain sudden death without a chest CT scan or autopsy, which are essential for confirmation.
Prevention and treatment rely on anticoagulants, which, in a surgical setting, can trigger or exacerbate hemorrhage and also lead to death.
Sudden deaths give rise to legal proceedings or medical malpractice investigations (CCI) where experts must confirm the diagnosis and analyze the prevention or management strategies. The conclusions may include medical negligence, a non-negligent medical accident, or simply the possible progression of a pre-existing disease or condition. The medical team is the key element for the experts.
The expert panel must analyze the patient's care pathway by the surgical and anesthesiologist team to determine the cause of death and legal liability. The purpose of the expert assessment remains: Is there compensation to be awarded or not? Who should pay for it? The insurer? The National Solidarity Fund (ONIAM) ?
D. MONTPELLIER. A. LEGER. D.VINCENT. O. JARDE.