Fatal pulmonary embolism following spinal anaesthesia for caesarean section.

Pulmonary embolism remains one of the commonest causes of maternal death. Regional blockade is reported to decrease the incidence of postoperative thrombo-embolic disease. We describe a case in which a fatal pulmonary embolism followed an emergency Caesarean section for which the patient was given a spinal anaesthetic. We believe it to be the first time this has been reported.