Waiting after pulmonary embolism cuts complications

Patients who needed emergency general surgery within 60 days of a pulmonary embolism had more major complications than those operated on later, in a national database study.

• 3,785 patients had emergency general surgery after a hospital stay for pulmonary embolism; about half were operated on within 60 days.
• Waiting beyond 60 days was linked to 55% lower odds of major adverse events.
• Clots, heart and lung complications, and readmissions were also less common with later surgery.

This was a look back at hospital records: patients operated on early may simply have been sicker. When the operation can safely wait, timing deserves a thought.