Finding into death of Wendy Alice Ryder

62y · Female·pulmonary thromboembolism due to deep venous thrombosis of right calf

Ms Wendy Ryder, aged 62, died from pulmonary embolism secondary to deep venous thrombosis (DVT) six weeks after abdominal surgery (total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy) for treatment of severe multiple sclerosis-related leg symptoms. The treating neurologist did not consider DVT in the differential diagnosis, attributing leg signs to MS and oversedation. The coroner found appropriate care was provided and there was no reasonable basis to identify DVT before the catastrophic event. However, post-operative thromboprophylaxis considerations and DVT risk stratification in immobilised post-surgical patients should remain standard practice, even in those with comorbidities.