[Pulmonary embolism. Medical and surgical treatment (author's transl)].

Pulmonary embolism is frequently fatal and its treatment and prevention are of vital importance. Curative therapy depends mainly on the use of heparin or urokinase, embolectomy under extracorporeal circulation being reserved for the most severe cases, and Trendelenburg's operation limited in its application at the present time. Prevention of pulmonary embolism is the principal problem and involves, apart from the use of anticoagulants, insertion of a caval clamp by means of a Adams Deweese clip whenever possible, or by the use of an endoluminal filter. Surgical relief of peripheral venous obstruction, apart from very recent proximal phlebitic lesions, is however currently of limited application.