Echocardiographic findings in pulmonary embolism: An important guide for the management of the patient

Echocardiography can be used as an easy, inexpensive, devoid of complications and, for the most part, universally available tool for the risk stratification of patient with acute pulmonary embolism. Because of its low sensibility, an echocardiogram is best indicated in a patient in whom hypotension and or shock are suspected to be due to pulmonary embolism. Pertinent findings in the echocardiogram can justify the use of fibrinolytic therapy. Most common echocardiographic findings in acute pulmonary embolism are: dilatation of the right ventricle, right ventricular dysfunction in some cases with preservation of the motility of the apex, dilatation of the inferior vena cava with lack of collapse during inspiration flattening of the interventricular septum suggesting right ventricular pressure overload and pulmonary hypertension based on the jet of tricuspid regurgitation if available.