**5. Differential diagnosis**

Pathological entities that present with the same clinical features and sings as venous thromboembolism and should be part of the differential diagnosis are: pneumonia, pleural effusion, pneumothorax, congestive heart failure, and cardiac ischemia, exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma and pulmonary edema.

Furthermore, differential diagnosis of PE after bariatric surgery should include anastomotic leakage, which may also present with tachycardia, fever, chest pain and respiratory insuffiency. An upper gastrointestinal study or surgical intervesion may be necessary in order to exclude such a complication.
