Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a fatal clinical condition that occurs as a result of mechanical obstruction of the pulmonary artery or its branches by any material (such as thrombus, air or fat) from anywhere in the body. Pulmonary embolism can be an acute condition, in which the signs and symptoms develop immediately after the event (i.e., the obstruction of the pulmonary vessels), or it can be ch...

OBJECTIVES: Septic pulmonary embolism is an uncommon but life-threatening disorder. However, data on patients with septic pulmonary embolism who require critical care have not been well reported. This study elucidated the clinicoradiological spectrum, causative pathogens and outcomes of septic pulmonary embolism in patients requiring critical care. METHODS: The electronic medical records of 2...

Abstract Background Pulmonary embolism (PE) is common and it the third leading cause of cardiovascular death. The management patients with high-risk PE generally consist systemic thrombolysis, however, surgical or catheter-directed treatment (CDT) can be considered in selected cases. Case Summary A 78-year-old female patient presenting acute severe dyspnoea develops out hospital cardiac arrest ...

Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a fatal clinical condition that occurs as a result of mechanical obstruction of the pulmonary artery or its branches by any material (such as thrombus, air or fat) from anywhere in the body. Pulmonary embolism can be an acute condition, in which the signs and symptoms develop immediately after the event (i.e., the obstruction of the pulmonary vessels), or it can be ch...

BACKGROUND The accuracy of multidetector computed tomographic angiography (CTA) for the diagnosis of acute pulmonary embolism has not been determined conclusively. METHODS The Prospective Investigation of Pulmonary Embolism Diagnosis II trial was a prospective, multicenter investigation of the accuracy of multidetector CTA alone and combined with venous-phase imaging (CTA-CTV) for the diagnos...

BACKGROUND Studies aimed at assessing whether the emboli lodged in the central pulmonary arteries carry a worse prognosis than more peripheral emboli have yielded controversial results. AIMS To explore the impact on survival and long-term prognosis of central pulmonary embolism. PATIENTS AND METHODS Consecutive patients diagnosed with acute symptomatic pulmonary embolism by means of compute...

The clinical management of pulmonary embolism and deep venous thrombosis of the legs are similar and requires prolonged anticoagulation therapy. The standard diagnostic approach in patients suspected of pulmonary embolism is ventilation-perfusion (V/Q) lung scan and compression ultrasonography to detect deep venous thrombosis. This retrospective study analyzed the role of V/Q lung scan an...

Known commonly as "broken heart syndrome," takotsubo cardiomyopathy is a poorly understood heart condition that results in acute decompensation of cardiac function. We report a case of a 68-year-old female who developed acute shortness of breath status after chemotherapy and radiation treatment for Stage IV squamous-cell carcinoma. Computed tomography pulmonary angiogram (CTPA) revealed a singl...

BACKGROUND Despite effective treatment with anticoagulants, 2% to 7% of patients with pulmonary embolism will die as a result of their disease. METHODS AND RESULTS We examined in 110 consecutive patients with pulmonary embolism whether plasma brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), a novel marker of (right) ventricular dysfunction, is a predictor of fatal pulmonary embolism. The relationship between...

INTRODUCTION Pulmonary embolism remains one of the leading causes of cardiovascular mortality. The standard treatment for pulmonary embolism is anticoagulant therapy using low molecular weight heparin, fondaparinux and a vitamin K antagonist, but a recent clinical trial showed that rivaroxaban, an oral factor Xa inhibitor, was as effective as standard therapy for the initial and long-term treat...