Acute cor pulmonale resulting from tumor microembolism

Whithin 72 hours a rapidly progressive dyspnea and right ventricular failure developed in a previously asymptomatic woman with adenocarcinoma. At autopsy, extensive tumor occlusion of the pulmonary microvasculature was found without macroscopic vessel involvement. In susceptible patients, tumor microembolism is a potentially treatable cause of acute cor pulmonale and may closely mimic massive thrombotic embolism.