Finding into death of Jennifer Porter

45y · Female·Pulmonary thromboembolism

Jennifer Porter, aged 45, died from pulmonary thromboembolism. She had significant medical comorbidities including total heart valve blockage requiring a pacemaker and intellectual disability. Four days before death, she presented with fever and dizziness and was prescribed doxycycline by her general practitioner. No investigation for DVT/PE was documented despite presenting symptoms. The clinical lesson is that fever with dizziness in a patient with cardiac disease and reduced mobility (living in supported accommodation) should prompt consideration of thromboembolism risk assessment and appropriate imaging. Early recognition of VTE risk factors and lower threshold for imaging in vulnerable populations with mobility limitations may have altered the outcome.