PUlmonary embolism Low incidence in chronic renal failure.

The records of 2,255 autopsies performed on adults between Jan 1, 1969, and Dec 31, 1981, were reviewed for the presence of pulmonary embolism. The overall incidence was 32.3% (18.4%, microscopic; 4%, microscopic; and 9.9%, both). During this period, 95 patients with chronic renal failure (serum creatinine level, greater than 5.0 mg/dL) were identified. The incidence in this group was 9.47% (all microscopic). We conclude that pulmonary embolism is an infrequent cause of mortality in patients with chronic renal failure.