Protein C Deficiency as a Cause of Pulmonary Embolism in the Perioperative Period

Abstract

Pulmonary embolism in the perioperative period is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Deficiency of protein C, a vitamin K-dependent anticoagulant that inhibits activated factors V and VIII, is a rare cause of thromboembolic phenomena. We report a case of perioperative pulmonary embolism secondary to undiagnosed protein C deficiency and resulting in nonresuscitable cardiac arrest in a pediatric patient