This post-mortem exam shows a fresh pulmonary embolus in a major pulmonary artery. The lethality of a pulmonary embolus is not dependent on size alone but rather the underlying cardiovascular condition of the patient.
See venous thrombus form and break away.
Expert view: hear about the risks of a 'silent blood clot'
Expert view: the challenge of patient compliance
Advancing toward a new target for anticoagulation
Download imagery of thromboembolic disease