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Paul Goldfinger, MD
Virginia Beach, Va

JAMA. 1971;217(8):1107.

	Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text PDF and any section headings.

To the Editor.—

I recently had occasion to observe the case of an 18-year-old girl who died as a result of massive pulmonary embolization. She had been hospitalized because of two fractured transverse lumbar vertebral processes. At absolute bed rest, she was doing well until the ninth hospital day, when she became suddenly hypotensive and died shortly thereafter. An autopsy revealed acute pulmonary embolization, and thrombosis of the hypogastric veins.

For 1 1/2 years prior to admission, she had received an oral contraceptive without complication. During her hospital stay she continued to receive this medication. Her past history was otherwise normal with regard to factors predisposing to thromboembolic disorders. Although prolonged immobilization could account for this patient's thrombotic episode, it is also possible that thrombogenic action of the oral contraceptive was contributory.

Any woman who is taking "the pill" and who is to be immobilized should stop the medication for . . . [Full Text PDF of this Article]

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