A 59-year-old man with a history of hypertension undergoes a successful subtotal colectomy and ileocolic anastomosis, without any signs of complication. On postoperative day 4, he develops sudden-onset shortness of breath. What’s the cause, and what happens next?
Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?
- Malignant pericardial effusion with tamponade1)
- Massive pulmonary embolism
- Atelectasis
- Acute coronary syndrome
- Pneumonia