Elena Larrea, a 31-year-old Mexican model renowned for her influence in social media and advocacy for animal rights, tragically passed away following complications from a liposuction surgery. The Animal Rescue Service confirmed her demise on March 19, attributing it to pulmonary thrombosis, commonly known as pulmonary embolism, which resulted in a fatal blood clot in her lung.
Pulmonary thrombosis, DVT or PE, occurs when a blood clot forms in one of the lungs’ veins or arteries. Blood clots usually form inside an injured blood vessel to help with healing, but sometimes, they can form without any apparent injury and don’t dissolve on their own, blocking normal blood flow through the blood vessels in the leg or arm. Blood clots can be very dangerous, especially in people with health conditions such as high blood pressure, heart disease, or a history of previous stroke.
Thrombosis often occurs when a blood clot starts in the deep veins in the legs and travels up to the lungs. The most common symptoms are shortness of breath, chest pain, and fainting. According to a study published in 2023, pulmonary embolism is the leading cause of death after liposuction. In this condition, a blood clot forms in a blood vessel in the lungs and blocks the blood flow to the brain, heart, or other organs.
It is a common problem among people with obesity, diabetes, or high cholesterol. People with these conditions are at a higher risk of getting a blood clot in the lungs because they have more fat in their bodies, which slows down blood circulation.
The main risk factors for a blood clot in the pulmonary arteries are aging and being overweight, although it can occur in anyone. Other risk factors are smoking, blood clotting disorders, and having an inherited tendency to form clots. A blood clot can also be triggered by surgery, including vaginal births and menstrual periods, and the use of certain medications such as oral contraceptives and birth control pills.