Massive intracardiac thromboembolism following spinal surgery.

A 71-year-old female with scoliosis and multiple laminectomies underwent C3-5 laminectomy with root decompression for bilateral lower extremity pain and weakness. Four days after discharge, while recovering at a skilled nursing facility, she developed vague chest pain and presented to her orthopaedic surgeon's office who referred her immediately to the emergency department (ED) for suspected pulmonary embolism. Upon presentation to the ED, she transiently required respiratory support with face mask …