[Cholestasis and liver cell necrosis resulting from acute pulmonary embolism (author's transl)]

124 autopsy cases with acute pulmonary embolism were investigated. Severe or moderate necrosis of parenchymal cells were found in 24%, and disseminating microfocal necrosis furthermore in 32%. An unsignificant or mild cholestasis was observed in 44%. The cause of necrotic liver damage is a complex circulatory disturbance, formed by acinar liver structure. A correlation between degree of thromboembolism and liver necrosis or cholestasis does not exist.