Fatal massive haemoptysis after embolectomy for chronic pulmonary embolism.

Since the first report of successful "late" embolectomy for recurrent pulmonary embolism,' a number of patients have been described with significant pulmonary hypertension where clinical improvement associated with lowering of pulmonary artery pressure has followed removal of extensive, well-organised thrombo-embolic material from major pulmonary vessels.2 The following case history illustrates an unfavourable and highly unusual outcome in a patient with chronic pulmonary embolism complicated by severe, sustained pulmonary 'hypertension. Embolectomy was followed, five months later, by sudden death with massive haemoptysis from a fistula be-|X tween a pulmonary artery and main bronchus, a complication not previously reported. l _ _