Pulmonary embolism in burns, is there an evidence based prophylactic recommendation? Case report and review of literature.

ABSTRACT

Burn patients exhibit an acquired hypercoagulable state with increased risk of venous thromboembolism. Currently, no randomized control study assessing the efficacy of chemical venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis in burn patients has been performed. We present a case of a morbidly (body mass index>54kg/m(2)) obese patient with 18% total body surface area (TBSA) burn who developed a VTE and a non-fatal submassive pulmonary embolus (PE). We will be reviewing the current consensus of venous thrombosis prophylaxis in burn patients and briefly discuss the treatment of PE in this population.